Collecting data to generate an agricultural prescription

ABSTRACT

A method begins by a drive unit affiliated with farm equipment receiving data from the farm equipment to produce agricultural data. The method continues with the drive unit determining a filtering constraint based on one or more parameters selected from a plurality of lists of agricultural parameters and filtering the agricultural data based on the filtering constraint to produce filtered agricultural data. The method continues with the drive unit determining processing of the filtered agricultural data and executing the processing of the filtered agricultural data.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS

The present U.S. Utility patent application claims priority pursuant to35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/046,346,entitled “UTILIZING SENSOR DATA TO GENERATE AN AGRICULTURALPRESCRIPTION”, filed Sep. 5, 2014; and U.S. Provisional Application No.62/052,034, entitled “DETERMINING CROP HARVESTING YIELD”, filed Sep. 18,2014, both of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety and made part of the present U.S. Utility patent applicationfor all purposes.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

NOT APPLICABLE

INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC

NOT APPLICABLE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to computing systems utilized inagriculture and more particularly to utilization of computing systems toprescribe aspects of an agriculture life cycle to provide improvedresults of the agriculture life cycle.

2. Description of Related Art

Agriculture is known to include cultivation of plants to sustain andenhance human life. The cultivation of plants includes executingnumerous steps of the agriculture lifecycle, such as, land management,irrigation, fertilization, planting, and harvesting. Effectiveness ofthe agriculture lifecycle may depend upon process control of theexecution of the numerous steps and further depend upon numerousconditions, such as, available sunlight, water availability, temperatureranges, wind speeds, soil type, soil nutrients, and other factors.

Computing devices are known to gather data, store the data, process thedata, and communicate the data. Examples of a computing device includesembedded farming equipment electronics, a smart phone, a tabletcomputer, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a storage server,and/or a data processing server. Basically, any device that includes acomputing unit, one or more interfaces, and a memory system may bedeemed a computing device.

As is further known, computing devices may be utilized to gather dataassociated with the agriculture lifecycle and to process the gathereddata. Such processed data may be utilized to understand cause and effectrelationships associated with the effectiveness of the agriculturelifecycle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a computingsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a plurality ofgeographic regions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a plurality ofsub-geographic regions in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a user device inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingsystem in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a drive path for anassociated geographic region in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a user deviceand tracks along a drive path in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of a datarecord in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an applicationunit and an associated storage unit in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of a drive path foran associated geographic region in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between a user device,an actuator set, and tracks along a drive path in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 12A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive unitin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 12C is a flowchart illustrating an example of collecting data togenerate an agricultural prescription in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 12D is a flowchart illustrating another example of collecting datato generate an agricultural prescription in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 13A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 13B-C are diagrams of agricultural prescription resource mappingin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13D is a flowchart illustrating an example of updating resourceassignments in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying anunfavorable crop harvesting output level in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying anunfavorable crop planting level in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 16B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying anunfavorable applicant application level in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a tillageagricultural prescription in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 18B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a scoutingagricultural prescription in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 19B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating an updatedagricultural prescription based on forecasted weather conditions inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a userdevice in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an applicationprocessing module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 20C is a flowchart illustrating an example of opportunisticacquisition of location information enabling data collection to generatean agricultural prescription in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 21B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a nitrogenapplication agricultural prescription in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 22A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 22B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a harvestagricultural prescription in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 23B is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining cropharvesting yield in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 24B is a flowchart illustrating an example of optimizing cropharvesting yield in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25B is a diagram illustrating an example of correcting sensor datain accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 25C is a flowchart illustrating an example of improving accuracy ofcrop harvesting sensor data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 26B is a flowchart illustrating an example of improving accuracy ofcrop yield data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 27B is a flowchart illustrating another example of improvingaccuracy of crop yield data in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 28A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 28B is a flowchart illustrating an example of chain of custody croptracking in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a distributedcomputing system 10 that includes at least one wireless location network18, one or more wireless communication networks 1, 2, etc., a network24, an application unit 16, a storage unit 36, a plurality of userdevices 14, and a plurality of user devices associated with geographicregions 1-R (e.g., user devices 1-1A, 1-1C, 1-2A, 1-2C, etc. associatedwith geographic region 1, user devices 2-1A, 2-1B, 2-1C, 2-2A, 2-2C,etc. associated with geographic region 2). Hereafter, the user devicesassociated with the geographic regions and the user devices 14 may bereferred to interchangeably as the user devices. The components of thecomputing system 10 are coupled via the network 24, which may includeone or more of wireless and/or wireline communications systems, one ormore private communications systems, a public internet system, one ormore local area networks (LAN), and one or more wide area networks(WAN).

Each wireless communications network includes one or more of a publicwireless communication system and a private wireless communicationsystem and may operate in accordance with one or more wireless industrystandards including universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS),global system for mobile communications (GSM), long term evolution(LTE), wideband code division multiplexing (WCDMA), IEEE 802.11, IEEE802.16. Each wireless communication network 1-R sends wirelesscommunications signals 42 to the user devices and receives wirelesscommunications signals 42 from the user devices to communicate datamessages 44 and/or application messages 46. The user devices associatedwith the geographic regions may send and receive the wirelesscommunications signals 42 directly between two or more user devices.Alternatively, or in addition to, the two user devices may communicateinterface information 40 directly via a wireline interface between thetwo user devices. For instance, user device 2-1A communicates theinterface information 40 with the user device 2-1B when the user device2-1A and the user device 2-1B are operably coupled with the wirelineinterface.

The wireless location network 18 includes one or more of a publicwireless location system (e.g., global positioning satellite (GPS), acellular network) and a private wireless location system (e.g., wirelessbeacon, a wireless local area network (WLAN)). The wireless locationnetwork 18 sends wireless location signals 38 to at least some of theplurality of user devices to enable determination of locationinformation.

The application unit 16 and storage unit 36 include a processing module(e.g., an application processing module) and memory to support executionof one or more applications (e.g., an agricultural lifecycleoptimization application) and storage of information. Each user devicemay be a portable computing device (e.g., embedded farming equipmentelectronics, a farming equipment interface dongle, embedded vehicularelectronics, a smart phone, a tablet computer, a laptop, a handheldcomputer, and/or any other portable device that includes a computingunit) and/or a fixed computing device (e.g., a desktop computer, a cabletelevision set-top box, an application server, an internet televisionuser interface and/or any other fixed device that includes a computingunit). Such a portable or fixed computing device includes one or more ofa computing unit (e.g., providing processing module functionality), oneor more wireless modems, sensors, and one or more user interfaces. Theuser device is discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 4.

Farming equipment (e.g., farm equipment) includes any machinery,apparatus, and/or tool associated with agriculture. For example, thefarming equipment may include one or more of a tractor, a seed planter,a fertilizer dispenser (e.g., fertilizing equipment), a soil tiller,watering equipment, a combine, and a harvesting mechanism (e.g.,harvesting equipment). As an example of user device implementation, userdevices 1-1A, 1-2A, 2-1A, and 2-2A includes embedded farming equipmentelectronics associated with farm tractors. As another example, userdevices 1-1C, 2-1C, 1-2C, and 2-2C include smart phones. As yet anotherspecific example, user device 2-1B includes a tractor interface dongle.

The user device 14, the application unit 16, and the storage unit 36,may be implemented in a variety of ways. For example, a first userdevice includes a computing unit, which includes the application unit16. As another example, a second user device includes another computingunit, which includes the storage unit 36. As yet another example, athird user device includes yet another computing unit that includes theapplication unit 16 and the storage unit 36. As a still further example,a still further computing unit includes the application unit 16 and thestorage unit 36.

In general and with respect to optimization of the agriculturallifecycle, the computing system 10 supports at least five examplefunctions: capturing data, analyzing data, producing an analysissummary, producing an agricultural prescription, and utilizing theagricultural prescription in the execution of the steps associated withthe agricultural lifecycle. In accordance with these functions,agricultural prescriptions can be created that are relevant inrelationship to likely planting lifecycles and may be utilized toenhance the effectiveness of the overall agricultural lifecycle.

The first example function includes the computing system 10 capturingdata. In this example, the user device 1-1A receives wireless locationsignals 38 and determines location information (e.g., locationcoordinates, a timestamp, identification of geographic region 1)therefrom. Having produced the location information, the user device1-1A captures data associated with one or more steps of the agriculturallifecycle within the geographic region 1 and generates wirelesscommunication signals 42 based on one or more of the data and thelocation information. As a specific example, the user device 1-1Atraverses at least a portion of the geographic region 1 and capturessensor data as the captured data when the embedded control electronicsfor the farm tractor includes the user device 1-1A. Alternatively, theuser device 1-1A stores at least a portion of the captured data in alocal memory. The wireless communication signals 42 from user device1-1A are received by a user device 1-1C. The user device 1-1C extractsthe data from the received wireless communication signals 42 from theuser device 1-1A and subsequently generates wireless communicationsignals 42 for transmission to the wireless communication network 1,where the wireless communication signals 42 are based on the data.

The wireless communication network 1 receives the wireless communicationsignals 42 from the user device 1-1C and decodes the wirelesscommunication signals 42 to reproduce the data. Having reproduced thedata, the wireless communication network 1 sends a data message 44, viathe network 24, to the storage unit 36, where the data message 44includes the reproduced data. Alternatively, or in addition to, the userdevice 1-2A functions in a similar fashion as the user device 1-1A tocapture further data within the geographic region 1, and to send, via auser device 1-2C, the wireless communication network 1, and the network,the further captured data to the storage unit 36. Having received one ormore of the data message 44 from the user device 1-1A and another datamessage from the user device 1-2A, the storage unit 36 extracts thereproduced data from the data message 44 of the user device 1-1A and/orextracts the further captured data from the other data message 44 fromthe user device 1-2A to produce data from the geographic region 1.

Having obtained the data from geographic region 1, the storage unit 36generates data records based on the data from geographic region 1.Having generated the data records, the storage unit 36 facilitatesstorage of the data records in at least one of a local memory associatedwith the storage unit, the application unit, one or more user devices,another storage unit, and in a storage system. As a specific example,the storage unit 36 stores the data records in the local memory of thestorage unit and sends, via the network 24, an information message 48 toa user device 14 associated with the geographic region 1, where theinformation message 48 includes the data record.

In another example of operation of the capturing of the data, a userdevice 2-1A captures data associated with the geographic region 2 andsends interface information 40 to the user device 2-1B, where theinterface information 40 includes the captured data associated with thegeographic region 2 and location information associated with the userdevice 2-1A. Alternatively, or in addition to, the user device 2-1Astores at least a portion of the interface information 40 in a localmemory of the user device 2-1A. The user device 2-1B sends, using thewireless communication signals 42, the captured data to the user device2-1C. Alternatively, or in addition to, the user device 2-1B stores atleast the portion of the interface information 40 in a local memory ofthe user device 2-1B. Alternatively, the user device 2-1B sends, usingthe wireless communication signals 42, the interface information 40 tothe communication network 2. The user device 2-1C sends, using thewireless communication signals 42, the interface information 40 thatincludes the captured data to the wireless communication network 2 whenthe user device 2-1B sends the captured data to the user device 2-1C.The wireless communication network 2 sends the captured data, via thenetwork 24, to the storage unit 36. Alternatively, the user device 2-1Csends, using the wireless communication signals 42, the captured data tothe wireless communication network 1 where the wireless communicationnetwork 1 sends the captured data, via the network 24, to the storageunit 36. In a similar fashion, a user device 2-2A captures further datawithin the geographic region 2, and sends the captured further data, viaone or more of the user device 2-2C, the wireless communication network2, and the network 24, to the storage unit 36.

The storage unit 36 receives data and/or captured further data from oneor more of the user devices 2-1A and 2-2A to produce data from thegeographic region 2. Having obtained the data from geographic region 2,the storage unit 36 generates data records based on the data fromgeographic region 2 and facilitates storage of the data records from thegeographic region 2 in at least one of the local memory associated withthe storage unit, the application unit, the one or more user devices,another storage unit, and in the storage system. As a specific example,the storage unit 36 stores the data records associated with thegeographic region 2 in the local memory of the storage unit and sends,via the network 24, another information message 48 to another userdevice 14 associated with the geographic region 2, where the otherinformation message 48 includes the data record associated with thegeographic region 2.

The second example function includes the computing system 10 analyzingthe data. In an example of operation, the user device 14 associated withgeographic region 1 issues an application message 46, via the network24, to the application unit 16, where the application message 46requests an analysis of the agricultural lifecycle for the geographicregion 1. The application unit 16 obtains the information message 48from the storage unit 36, where the information message 48 includes oneor more of data records associated with the geographic region 1 andhistorical summaries associated with the geographic region 1. Suchhistorical summaries include one or more of a result of a previousanalysis, a summary of a previous analysis, and a summary of a previousagricultural prescription. Alternatively, or in addition to, theapplication unit 16 obtains another information message 48 from thestorage unit 36, where the other information message 48 includes one ormore data records associated with one or more other geographic regions.As a specific example, the application unit 16 obtains data recordsassociated with geographic regions that are immediately proximallyadjacent to the geographic region 1.

Having obtained the one or more of the data records and the historicalsummaries, the application unit 16 performs one or more analysisfunctions on the data records and/or the historical summaries to producean analysis. The analysis functions includes one or more of a filteringfunction, correlation function, a comparing function, a transformationfunction, a mathematical function, a logical function, an identificationfunction, a listing function, a searching function, an estimationfunction, a probability density generating function, a trend analysisfunction, and any other function that may be utilized in assisting inanalyzing the data records and/or the historical summaries to provideinsights to improving the effectiveness of the steps of the agriculturallifecycle. As a specific example, the application unit 16 compares corncrop yield rates for the geographic region 1 and the geographic region 2for a similar set of conditions (e.g., soil type, weather) and fordiffering approaches to the steps of the agricultural lifecycle toproduce the analysis. Alternatively, or in addition to, the applicationunit 16 facilitates storage of the analysis in the storage unit 36(e.g., to facilitate subsequent retrieval as history summaries).

The third example function includes the computing system 10 producingthe analysis summary. In an example of operation, having produced theanalysis, the application unit 16 may obtain one or more furtherinformation messages 48 from the storage unit 36, where the one or morefurther information messages 48 includes one or more previous analysissummaries. Having obtained the further information messages 48, theapplication unit 16 summarizes the analysis to produce the analysissummary based on one or more of the analysis, the application message,and the previous analysis summaries. As a specific example, theapplication unit summarizes the analysis to produce a corn crop yieldanalysis summary for a previous year using a similar format inaccordance with the previous analysis summaries, when the applicationmessage 46 from the user device 14 associated with the geographic region1 requests a corn crop yield analysis for the previous year.Alternatively, or in addition to, the application unit 16 facilitatesstorage of the analysis summary in the storage unit 36 (e.g., tofacilitate subsequent retrieval as history summaries).

The fourth example function includes the computing system 10 producingthe agricultural prescription. In an example of operation, havingproduced the analysis summary, the application unit 16 may obtain stillfurther information messages 48 from the storage unit 36, where thestill further information messages 48 includes one or more previousagricultural prescriptions. Having obtained the further informationmessages 48, the application unit 16 generates the agriculturalprescription based on one or more of the analysis summary, theapplication message 46, and the previous agricultural prescriptions. Thegenerating may include further analysis. As a specific example, theapplication unit 16 analyzes a previous agricultural prescription forthe previous year, and the summary analysis for the previous yearindicating results of utilizing the previous agricultural prescription,to produce a corn crop optimization prescription for a current year. Forinstance, the corn crop optimization prescription indicates which hybridcorn type to plant, when to plant, how to plant (e.g., including adensity level of planting seeds), and a recommended procedure forharvesting. Having produced the agricultural prescription, theapplication unit 16 may send, via the network 24, yet anotherapplication message 46 to the user device 14 associated with thegeographic region 1, where the yet another application message 46includes the agricultural prescription. Alternatively, or in additionto, the application unit 16 facilitates storage of the agriculturalprescription in the storage unit 36 (e.g., to facilitate subsequentretrieval as history summaries).

The fifth example function includes the computing system 10 utilizingthe agricultural prescription. In an example of operation, theapplication unit 16 generates another data message 44, where the otherdata message 44 includes the agricultural prescription. The agriculturalprescription may be represented in a variety of formats including one ormore of hypertext markup language, text, graphics, typographic maps, anda machine-readable format to facilitate some level of automation. Forinstance, the agricultural prescription includes the recommended stepsof the agricultural lifecycle in a machine-readable format that iscompatible with a particular set of farming machinery including one ormore of farm tractors, soil maintenance machinery, fertilizerapplication machinery, planting machinery (e.g., a planter), and cropharvesting machinery (e.g., a combine). Having generated the other datamessage 44, the application unit 16 sends, via the network 24 and thewireless communication network 1 (e.g., using the wireless communicationsignals), the other data message 44 to the user device 1-1C. Havingreceived the other data message 44, the user device 1-1C distributes theagricultural prescription to one or more of a user interface associatedwith the user device 1-1C (e.g., to display to an operator of farmmachinery) and to user device 1-1A. Having received the agriculturalprescription, the user device 1-1A extracts control information from theagricultural prescription. Having obtained the control information, theuser device 1-1A outputs the control information to an actuator setassociated with one or more varieties of farming machinery to facilitatethe automation of the one or more steps of the agricultural lifecycle.The outputting of the control information to the actuator set isdiscussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 11.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a plurality ofgeographic regions, where one or more of the geographic regions includethe geographic regions 1-R of FIG. 1. The plurality of geographicregions may include any number of geographic regions spanning relativelysmall areas (e.g., a few acres per region), relatively large areas(e.g., tens of thousands of acres or more per region), or any size inbetween. Two or more geographic regions may be associated with commoncharacteristics. For example, each geographic region may include acommon geographic region size or a unique geographic region size. Two ormore geographic regions may overlap such that a common portion isincluded in each of the two or more geographic regions. Each geographicregion may include two or more sub-geographic regions.

Each geographic region may be associated with region characteristics.The region characteristics include one or more of a natural water supplylevel, a man-made irrigation water supply level, an average number ofsun-days, an average sun intensity level, a soil type, a soil nutrientlevel, a previous utilization history, a crop yield rate, an insectaffect level, an average altitude level, and average temperature level,and any other metric associated with characteristics that may affect theefficiency of the agricultural lifecycle. Two or more regions may sharecommon and/or similar region characteristics. For example, adjacentgeographic regions have a higher probability of sharing more commonregion characteristics than non-adjacent geographic regions. As anotherexample, a series of geographic regions that include a common waterway(e.g., a lake, a river) may share more common region characteristics.

Each geographic region may be associated with varying groups of userdevices utilized in the primary steps of the computing system 10 ofFIG. 1. For example, a common first user device is associated withoperation within geographic regions 1 and 2. As another example, aunique second user device is associated with operation within geographicregion 2 and a unique third user device is associated with operationwithin geographic region 3.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a geographic regiondivided into any number of sub-geographic regions. Hereafter, asub-geographic region may be referred to interchangeably as a geographicsub-region. For example, geographic region 1 includes geographicsub-regions 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, etc.

Each geographic sub-region may include any number of user devices thatoperate within the sub-region. For example, the geographic sub-region1-1 includes a user device 1-1A and a user device 1-1C; the geographicsub-region 1-2 includes a user device 1-2A and a user device 1-2C; thegeographic sub-region 1-3 includes a user device 1-3A, a user device1-3B operably coupled with the user device 1-3A to exchange interfaceinformation 40, and a user device 1-3C; and the geographic sub-region1-4 includes a user device 1-4A and a user device 1-4C. As anotherexample, each geographic sub-region may include a common group of userdevices such that the common group of user devices traverses eachgeographic sub-region of the geographic region.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a user device(e.g., 12, 14 or any other user device). The user device includes a userinterface output 50, a user interface input 52, one or more sensors 1-S,an interface 54, a computing unit 26, one or more wirelesscommunications modems 1-M, and at least one wireless location modem 56.The user interface output 50 may include a single interface outputdevice or a plurality of interface output devices to present user output60. The interface output device may include one or more of a display, atouch screen, a speaker, an earpiece, a motor, an indicator light, alight emitting diode (LED), a transducer, and a digital indicator. Forinstance, the interface output device includes a color touch screendisplay capable of rendering static images and/or full-motion video.

The user interface input 52 may include a single interface input deviceor a plurality of interface input devices to capture user input 62. Theinterface input device includes one or more of a touch screen sensorarray, a keyboard, a microphone, a fingerprint reader, a trackball, amouse sensor, an image sensor, a pushbutton, and a selector switch. Forinstance, the interface input device includes a touch screen sensorarray associated with the color touch screen display.

Each sensor includes capabilities for sensing one or more of a magneticfield (e.g., a compass), motion (e.g., an accelerometer), temperature,pressure, altitude, humidity, moisture, an image, visible light,infrared light, an electromagnetic field, ultrasonic sound, weight,density, a chemical type, fluid flow volume, execution of a step of theagricultural lifecycle, a stream of images (e.g., capture video),biometrics, proximity, capacitance, gases, radiation, pathogens, lightlevels, bio hazards, DNA, wind speed, wind direction, andcharacteristics of an object to support object detection and/or objectidentification. The sensors 1-S output sensor data 1-S to the computingunit 26. For example, a first sensor outputs sensor data 1 that includesa video stream when the first sensor includes an image capture device.As another example, a second sensor outputs sensor data 2 that includesa moisture level indicator when the second sensor includes a moisturedetector. As yet another example, a third sensor outputs sensor data 3that includes tractor pitch, tractor yaw, tractor roll, tractorvelocity, tractor acceleration, tractor position, tractor inclination,tractor tilt, tractor orientation tractor impact (e.g. shock) when thethird sensor includes the accelerometer and the embedded controlelectronics of a farming tractor includes the user device.

The interface 54 provides an external wireline interface to thecomputing unit such that interface information 40 may be communicatedwith one or more other devices operably coupled to the interface 54.Each device includes one or more other user devices. For example,another user device is associated with embedded sensor and controlelectronics of a farming planting mechanism. As another example, theother user device is associated with embedded control electronics of afarming fertilizing mechanism. As yet another example, the other userdevice is associated with embedded control electronics of a farmingharvesting mechanism. As a still further example, the other user deviceis associated with the embedded control electronics of the farmingtractor.

The interface 54 may operate in accordance with one or more industryinterface protocol standards such as on-board diagnostics (OBD),controller area network (CAN), or any other industry interface protocolstandard. For instance, the interface operably couples to a CANinterface of a farming tractor such that the interface information 40may be exchanged between the computing unit 26 and the embedded controlelectronics of the farming tractor. The interface information 40includes one or more of further sensor data, an agriculturalprescription, and control information (e.g., one or more steps of anagricultural lifecycle). As a specific example, the interface 54 couplesthe computing unit 26 to the farming fertilizing mechanism such that thecomputing unit 26 receives sensor data from a sensor array associatedwith the farming fertilizing mechanism that monitors fertilization stepsof the agricultural lifecycle.

Each wireless communication modem 1-M may include a single wirelesstransceiver or a plurality of wireless transceivers. Alternatively, orin addition to, each communication modem may include one or morewireless transmitters. The wireless transceiver and/or transmitterencodes wireless messages to produce wireless communication signals andthe wireless transceiver further receives other wireless communicationsignals for decoding into corresponding wireless messages. The wirelesstransceiver and/or transmitter may operate in accordance with one ormore wireless industry standards including universal mobiletelecommunications system (UMTS), global system for mobilecommunications (GSM), long term evolution (LTE), wideband code divisionmultiplexing (WCDMA), IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.16, and Bluetooth. Forexample, the wireless communication modem 1 encodes the wirelessmessages 1 for transmission as Bluetooth wireless communication signalsto a local user device and the wireless communication modem 2 encodesthe wireless messages 2 for transmission as LTE wireless communicationsignals to a wireless communication network.

The wireless location modem 56 may include one or more of a singlewireless location receiver, a single wireless location transceiver, aplurality of wireless location receivers, and a plurality of wirelesslocation transceivers. The wireless location receiver and wirelesslocation transceiver may operate in accordance with one or more wirelesslocation technologies including GPS, WiFi, angle of arrival, timedifference of arrival, signal strength, and beaconing to producelocation information 64.

The computing unit 26 includes an application processing module 34, amemory 58, and one or more internal interfaces to one or more of theuser interface output 50, the user interface input 52, the sensors 1-S,the interface 54, the wireless communication modems 1-M, and thewireless location modem 56. The memory 58 provides a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium that stores operational instructionsthat are executed by the processing module 34.

The memory 58 may include a single memory device or a plurality ofmemory devices. Each memory device is associated with a memory typeincluding one or more of a read-only memory, random access memory,volatile memory, non-volatile memory, cache memory, and/or any devicethat stores digital information. Each memory device may be implementedutilizing one or more technologies including static random access memory(SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), NAND flash memory, magneticmemory (e.g., a hard disk), and optical memory (e.g., an optical disc)that stores digital information. The memory device may be removable(e.g., a universal serial bus flash drive) to facilitate transfer ofdata between the computing unit 26 and other entities that may operablycoupled with the removable memory device.

FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a computingsystem that includes the wireless location network 18, the wirelesscommunication network 1, the network 24, the application unit 16, thestorage unit 36, and the user device 14 that is associated withgeographic region 1-1. Within the geographic region 1-1 are the userdevice 1-1A (e.g., embedded control electronics of a farming tractor)and the user device 1-1C (e.g., a smart phone utilized by an operator ofthe farming tractor).

In an example of operation of performing one of the five examplefunctions, the user device 1-1A determines location information based onreceiving wireless location signals 38 from the wireless locationnetwork 18 and captures sensor data (e.g., farming tractor accelerometerdata, soil moisture levels, soil chemical content, etc.) along a drivepath 1-1 for at least a portion of the geographic region 1-1. The drivepath 1-1 includes a geographic path of the user device 1-1A when theuser device 1-1A operates within the geographic region 1. The drive pathmay include two or more sub-drive paths. For example, a first sub-drivepath traverses the geographic region 1-1 from west to east and a secondsub-drive path traverses the geographic region 1-1 from east to west.The user device 1-1A may monitor the drive path (e.g., passivelymonitoring along a path taken by the farming tractor) or may provide thedrive path (e.g., where an agricultural prescription includes controlinformation to invoke operation of the farming tractor along the drivepath). The drive path 1-1 may be obtained by the user device 1-1A in avariety of ways including one or more of determining a specific drivepath in accordance with the agricultural prescription 80, utilizing apredetermined drive path (e.g., the drive path for geographic region 1-1from a list), generating a random drive path, utilizing a previous drivepath associated with geographic region 1-1 (e.g., obtaining a historicalsummary), and receiving the agricultural prescription 80 that includescontrol information associated with the drive path. As a specificexample, the user device 1-1A utilizes the drive path 1-1 from theagricultural prescription 80 while an associated farming tractor andtilling machinery is tilling the soil of at least a portion of thegeographic region 1-1.

Having captured the sensor data, the user device 1-1A sends, using, forexample, Bluetooth wireless communication signals, the captured sensordata to the user device 1-1C. The user device 1-1C sends, utilizing, forexample, long-term evolution (LTE) wireless communication signals, thecaptured sensor data 70 via the wireless communication network 1 and thenetwork 24 to the storage unit 36. The application processing module 34of the storage unit 36 processes the captured sensor data 70 to producedata records 74 for storage in the memory of the storage unit 36.Alternatively, a removable memory of the user device 1-1A is utilized totemporarily store the captured sensor data 70. The removable memory isoperably coupled to the storage unit 36 to facilitate transfer of thecaptured sensor data 70 to the application processing module 34 of thestorage unit 36. For example, the removable memory device is directlyinterfaced to the storage unit 36. As another example, the removalmemory device is interfaced to the user device 14 associated with thegeographic region 1-1 and the user device 14 facilitates sending, viathe network 24, the captured sensor data 70 to the storage unit 36.

The application processing module 34 of the user device 14 associatedwith the geographic region 1-1 receives a user input to invoke a requestfor an analysis and generation of an agricultural prescription 80. Theapplication processing module 34 of the user device 14 generatesguidance 72 based on the request and other desired characteristics(e.g., a crop list, a time frame, equipment availability, chemicalavailability, and soil management operational ranges available) of theagricultural prescription 80 for the geographic region 1-1. The userdevice 14 sends, via the network 24, the guidance 72 to the applicationunit 16. The application processing module 34 of the application unit 16obtains the data records 74 for the geographic region 1-1 from thestorage unit 36 based on the guidance 72. The application processingmodule 34 of the application unit 16 may further obtain historicalsummaries 76 with regards to the geographic region 1-1 based on theguidance 72.

Having obtained the guidance 72, the data records 74, and/or thehistorical summaries 76, the application processing module 34 of theapplication unit 16 produces an analysis based on the data records 74and/or the historical summaries 76. The application processing module 34of the application unit 16 processes the analysis in accordance with theguidance 72 and/or the historical summaries 76 to produce an analysissummary 78. The application processing module 34 of the application unit16 facilitates storage of the analysis summary 78 by the storage unit 36to enable subsequent recovery of the historical summaries 76 thatincludes the analysis summary 78.

Having produced the analysis summary 78, the application processingmodule 34 of the application unit 16 processes the analysis summary 78in accordance with the guidance 72 and the historical summaries 76 toproduce the agricultural prescription 80. The agricultural prescription80 may further include a plurality of steps, where each step includesone or more actions, and for each action, one or more requiredpreconditions to execute the action. Such steps may be executed inparallel, in series, and in a combination in accordance with thepreconditions for execution.

The preconditions for execution of the action includes requiredconditions to enable execution of the action (e.g., when to execute theaction) including one or more of a current date match, a current datewithin a date range, a time within a time range, a current data sensorvalue within a desired range (i.e., a current temperature within atemperature range), an actuator readiness state, distance from apreviously executed step (i.e., seed dispensing population of seeds peracre), and elapsed time since a previously executed step). For example,a precondition for planting a short growing seed at a later date hasoccurred within a growing season.

Each action includes what to do and how to do it (e.g., when to do it isa precondition). As such, each action includes one or more of dispensingparticular one or more materials (i.e. a gas, a liquid, a slurry, asolid), how to dispense the material (i.e., distance between dispensingpoints, distance between parallel dispensing tracks), collect sensordata, and manipulate another object (i.e. management practices includingone or more of: tilling, irrigation control, sunlight control), activatea variant of an electromagnet field). The liquids include chemicalcompounds such as fertilizers and pesticides. The pesticides include oneor more of insecticides (e.g., insect killers), herbicides (e.g., weedkillers), and fungicides (e.g., to kill or inhibit fungi). The solidsinclude one or more of seed, fertilizer powder, and manure. The seedsinclude a plurality of hybrid seed types and may vary from growingseason to growing season.

Having produced the agricultural prescription 80, the applicationprocessing module 34 of the application unit 16 sends, via the network24, one or more of the analysis summary 78 and the agriculturalprescription 80 to the user device 14. The application processing module34 of the application unit 16 may further send the agriculturalprescription 80, via the network 24 and the wireless communicationnetwork 1, to the user device 1-1C for utilization in performing of oneor more steps of the agricultural lifecycle in accordance with theagricultural prescription 80. For example, the user device 1-1C displaysa portion of the agricultural prescription 80 and sends controlinformation of the agricultural prescription, via wireless signals 42,to the user device 1-1A to automate a portion of the execution of atleast some of the steps of the agricultural lifecycle. For the example,the user device 1-1A issues control information to a set of actuators todispense fertilizer in accordance with the agricultural prescription 80.For instance, to control dispensing a specified volume of liquidfertilizer in a specified date range in a specified geometric patternfor at least a portion of the geographic region 1-1 as the user device1-1A versus the drive path 1-1.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a drive path 1-1 foran associated geographic region 1-1. In an example of operation, theuser device 1-1A of FIG. 1 traverses the drive path 1-1 when executingsteps of an agricultural lifecycle. The traversing of the drive path 1-1may be in accordance with an agricultural prescription. The drive path1-1 includes a plurality of corresponding drive paths 1-1-1, 1-1-2,1-1-3, 1-1-4, etc. Each corresponding drive path may be associated witha portion of the overall drive path such that the corresponding drivepath is associated with favorable attributes. Such favorable attributesincludes one or more of minimizing waste by including fewer turnaroundsections or deleting sections that link one corresponding drive path toanother, minimizing fuel usage, minimizing soil erosion, maximizing cropyield, and maximizing overall efficiency of executing one or more stepsof an agricultural lifecycle. For example, drive path 1-1-1 extends froma western edge of the geographic region 1-1 to an eastern edge of thegeographic region 1-1 such that a farming tractor traversing the drivepath 1-1-1 minimizes an amount of time to cover acreage associated withdrive path 1-1-1 (e.g., driving in a substantially straight line).

The user device 1-1A includes an array of sensors that are utilizedalong the drive path 1-1 to capture sensor data in accordance with adata capture scheme. The agricultural prescription may include the datacapture scheme. The data capture scheme includes one or more of where tocapture sensor data (e.g., coordinates, distance between capturing),when to capture sensor data (e.g., how often, precondition trigger),which sensors to capture sensor data from (e.g., selecting particularsensors based on a step of an agricultural lifecycle), and how tocapture the sensor data (e.g., instantaneous sample, average sample,another mathematical distribution applied to sample data).

The user device 1-1A may utilize the array of sensors to capture thesensor data for as many as each pass along the drive path 1-1 whenoperating within the geographic region 1-1 to execute at least some ofthe steps of the agricultural lifecycle. For example, the user device1-1A captures sensor data while one or more of the following steps ofthe agricultural lifecycle are executed: initiating a planting cycle bytilling soil, applying fertilizer, applying pesticide, planting aprimary crop, simultaneously applying fertilizer while planting theprimary crop, planting a cover crop (e.g. utilized to minimize soilerosion and enhance soil nutrients), managing irrigation, harvestingaccording to a time schedule, harvesting based on detecting a cropcondition trigger (e.g., crop moisture content), tilling the soil afterharvesting, and applying fertilizer after harvesting.

The capturing of the sensor data may be unique for each of thecorresponding drive paths. For example, the data capture schemeindicates to capture the sensor data from all sensors along the drivepath 1-1-1 every one tenth of an inch to produce data capture points1,1, 1,2, 1,3, 1,4, etc. When capturing the sensor data at periodicdistance intervals, one of the data sensors may be utilized to measurethe distance between data capture points to trigger capture of a nextset of sensor data at a next data capture point. As another example, thedata capture scheme indicates to capture the sensor data from sensors 1,3, 5, and 7 along the drive path 1-1-2 every two seconds. As yet anotherexample, the data capture scheme indicates to capture the sensor datafrom sensors 2 and 4 along the drive path 1-1 when sensor data fromsensor 1 is interpreted to detect that a particular chemical densitylevel is less than a low chemical density threshold level.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the user device1-1A and tracks 1-7 along the drive path 1-1-1. The user device 1-1Aincludes the application processing module 34, an array of sensors 1-7,sensor L, sensor R, and sensor ALL to capture corresponding sensor 70data along the drive path 1-1-1 as the user device 1-1A traverses thedrive path 1-1-1 in accordance with a velocity 1-1-1. The velocity 1-1-1may be established as at least one of a random velocity, a predeterminedvelocity, and an instantaneous velocity in accordance with a velocityschedule. An agricultural prescription may include the velocity schedulefor each corresponding drive path or portion thereof.

The drive path 1-1-1 is associated with the tracks 1-7 and may includefurther tracks. Each track is a virtual path substantially parallel withthe drive path 1-1-1. A center track (e.g., track 4) may further alignwith the drive path 1-1-1 and each other track runs in parallel to thecenter track, where each track is separated from another track by apotentially unique distance d (e.g., different distances betweendifferent tracks in a typical range of a few centimeters to manymeters). For example, track 3 is separated from track 4 by distance d3-4of 8 inches and track 4 is separated from track 5 by distance d4-5 of 20inches. The agricultural prescription may include a number of tracks,each of the distances that separate the tracks, and a track to sensormapping.

Each sensor is associated with one or more tracks. For example, sensor 1is associated with track 1, sensor 2 is associated with track 2, sensor3 is associated with track 3, etc. through sensor 7 is associated withtrack 7; sensor L is associated with tracks 1-4; sensor R is associatedwith tracks 4-7; and sensor ALL is associated with tracks 1-7. Eachsensor may include capabilities to sense one or more attributesassociated with one or more of the tracks in accordance with the trackmapping. For example, sensors 1-7 include image sensors to detect andenable identification of objects (e.g., desired and undesired) alongtracks 1-7, sensor L includes an ultrasonic sensor to detect objectsassociated with tracks 1-4, sensor R includes an ultrasonic sensor todetect objects associated with tracks 4-7, and sensor ALL includes anaccelerometer to provide inertia information with regards to a farmingtractor associated with the user device 1-1A (e.g., to enable precisionlocation determination).

The application processing module 34 captures the sensor data 70 fromthe array of sensors from time to time in accordance with a data capturescheme. The application processing module 34 processes the sensor data70 in accordance with a sensor data processing scheme. The agriculturalprescription may include the sensor data processing scheme. Theapplication processing module 34 obtains the sensor data processingscheme by at least one of accessing a predetermination, initiating aquery, receiving a query response, receiving the agriculturalprescription, and determining the agricultural prescription.

The sensor data processing scheme includes one or more of locallystoring at least a portion of the sensor data, outputting at least someof the sensor data, identifying a portion of the sensor data foranalysis, analyzing the identified portion of the sensor data to producean analysis, summarizing the analysis to produce an analysis summary,and generating an updated agricultural prescription. As a specificexample of capturing the sensor data 70, the application processingmodule 34 captures the sensor data 70 from the array of sensors at adata capture point 1,1 for each of the tracks 1-7, where the distancebetween tracks is 8 inches; captures the sensor data 70 from the arrayof sensors at a data capture point 1, 2 for each of the tracks 1-7,where the distance between tracks is adjusted to 6 inches, from sensorL, from sensor R, and from sensor ALL; captures the sensor data 70 fromthe array of sensors at a data capture point 1, 3 for each of the tracks1-7, where the distance between tracks is maintained at 6 inches, andthe velocity 1-1-1 is suggested from 8 miles per hour (MPH) to 11 MPH;etc.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a structure of ageographic region 1-1 data record, where the data records 74 may includethe geographic region 1-1 data record. The geographic region 1-1 datarecord includes a plurality of drive path data records 1-1-1, 1-1-2,1-1-3, etc. Each drive path data record is associated with a pluralityof corresponding drive paths of a drive path associated with thegeographic region 1-1. Each drive path data record includes data capturepoint data records. For example, the drive path 1-1-1 data recordincludes data capture point data records for data capture points 1,1,1,2, 1,3, 1,4, etc.

Each data capture data record includes the sensor data 70 for a sensorarray corresponding to a user device associated with capture of thesensor data. For example, the data capture point data records for thedrive path 1-1-1 data record includes sensor data 1-8, sensor data L,sensor data R, sensor data ALL, and may include further data associatedwith data capture point 1,1. The further data may include one or more ofa timestamp corresponding to capturing of the sensor data, a timestampcorresponding to receiving of the captured sensor data, locationinformation associated with the data capture point, an identifier of auser device associated with the sensor array, identifiers for eachsensor of the sensor array, an identifier associated with another userdevice that is associated with the user device, an identifier of thegeographic region, an identifier of the drive path data record, anidentifier of the data capture point, a data owner identifier, an accesscontrol list, security credentials, security information (e.g., a signedcertificate, an encryption key, an encryption key seed), and any otherdata to facilitate optimization of an agricultural lifecycle.

FIG. 9 is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of the applicationunit 16 and of the storage unit 36, where the application unit 16 andthe storage unit 36 include corresponding application processing modules34 and may include the memory 58. Alternatively, a single computingdevice may include each application processing module 34 and each memory58. The application processing module 34 of the application unit 16includes an analyzing module 81, an analysis summary generating module82, and a prescription generating module 84. The application processingmodule 34 of the storage unit 36 includes a data collecting module 86and a history summarizing module 88.

The application unit 16 and storage unit 36 perform at least some stepsassociated with the five example functions of the computing system 10.In an example of operation, the data collecting module 86 receivessensor data 70 from one or more user devices associated with ageographic region of a plurality of geographic regions. The datacollecting module 86 generates one or more data records 74 based on thesensor data 70 and stores the one or more data records 74 in the memory58 of the storage unit 36.

The analyzing module 81 receives guidance 72 from a user device (e.g.,the user device 14 of FIG. 1) associated with the geographic region. Forexample, the guidance 72 includes a request for an analysis andconditions of the analysis. The analyzing module 81 obtains data records74 from the data collecting module 86 based on the guidance 72 and mayfurther obtain a historical summary 76 from the history summarizingmodule 88 based on the guidance 72. Hereafter, the historical summary 76may be interchangeably referred to as a history summary. For example,the analyzing module 81 issues a data records request to the datacollecting module 86 with regards to the geographic region and receivesthe data records 74 from the data collecting module 86, where thereceived data records 74 are associated with the geographic region andadjacent geographic regions to the geographic region. As anotherexample, the analyzing module 81 issues a history summary request to thehistory summarizing module 88 and receives the historical summary 76with regards to the geographic region and the adjacent geographicregions from the history summarizing module 88.

Having obtained the data records 74 and the historical summary 76,analyzing module 81 analyzes one or more of the data records 74 and thehistorical summary 76 to produce an analysis 90 in accordance with theguidance 72. For example, the analyzing module 81 identifies resultsfrom the data records 74 and correlates the results to specific steps ofan agricultural lifecycle of the historical summary 76 to produce theanalysis 90, where the analysis 90 indicates results and associatedsteps.

The analysis summary generating module 82 obtains another historicalsummary 76 from the history summarizing module 88, where the otherhistorical summary 76 includes a previous analysis summary associatedwith the geographic region. Having received the historical summary 76,the analysis summary generating module 82 summarizes the analysis 90 inaccordance with one or more of the guidance 72 and the historicalsummary 76 to produce an analysis summary 78. For example, the analysissummary generating module 82 determines probabilities of favorableresults associated with the steps based on previous sets of results andsteps.

The history summarizing module 88 may obtain the analysis summary 78 andprocess the analysis summary 78 to produce a further historical summary76 for storage in the memory 58 of the storage unit 36. The prescriptiongenerating module 84 obtains yet another historical summary 76 from thehistory summarizing module 88, where the yet another historical summary76 may include one or more previous agricultural prescriptionsassociated with the geographic region and/or agricultural prescriptionsassociated with the adjacent geographic regions. Having received theanalysis summary 78 and the yet another historical summary 76, theprescription generating module 84 generates an agricultural prescription80 for the geographic region based on one or more of the analysissummary 78, the yet another historical summary 76, and the guidance 72.For example, the prescription generating module 84 utilizes theprobabilities of favorable results associated with the steps torecommend steps of the agricultural lifecycle associated with thegeographic region and in accordance with the guidance 72 (e.g., for aspecific desired crop type).

The agricultural prescription 80 may include one or more of steps,actions associated with each step, and preconditions for each action.The prescription generating module 84 outputs the agriculturalprescription 80 which may include sending the agricultural prescription80 to the history summarizing module 88. When receiving the agriculturalprescription 80, the history summarizing module 88 processes theagricultural prescription 80 to produce an updated historical summary 76for storage in the memory 58.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another embodiment of the drive path1-1 for associated geographic region 1-1. The user device 1-1A capturessensor data at the plurality of data capture points along eachassociated drive path of the drive path 1-1 and provides action dataalong at least some of the associated drive paths. The user deviceenables execution of the action data along each associated drive path inaccordance with an agricultural prescription.

The action data includes one or more steps of an agricultural lifecycle,and may further include actions and associated preconditions for eachaction. For example, an action may include depositing a specified volumeof liquid fertilizer along the drive path 1-1-1 at specific intervals.As another example, the action may include planting seeds of a desiredcrop at a specific soil depth at specified intervals along the drivepath 1-1-2. For instance, a specified average number of seeds aredeposited along the drive path 1-1-2 in accordance with action data 2, 4followed by depositing further seeds along the drive path 1-1-2 inaccordance with action data 2, 3 etc.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between the user device1-1A, an actuator set 92, and the tracks 1-7 along the drive path 1-1-1.In an embodiment, the actuator set 92 includes a set of actuators 1-7,actuator L, actuator R, and actuator ALL. Each actuator is operable toperform an action in accordance with control information 94 includingone or more of dispensing fluid (e.g., fertilizer, pesticide,fungicide), dispensing a solid (e.g., planting a seed), and manipulatingsoil (e.g., tilling). An agricultural prescription 80 includes thecontrol information 94 that includes the actions of the planting. Theuser device 1-1A includes the sensor array of FIG. 7 and the applicationprocessing module 34 of FIG. 7.

The control information 94 further includes one or more instructionswith regards to implementation of actions performed by the actuators.The instructions includes one or more of setting a distance d betweenthe tracks, planting a seed at a specified planting depth, dispensing aspecified volume of a liquid within a linear distance along a track,setting a velocity 1-1-1 of traversing of the drive path 1-1-1 inaccordance with a velocity schedule, modifying the velocity 1-1-1 basedon real-time sensor data, and utilizing one or more sensors to detectpreconditions to enable execution of one or more actions.

The user device 1-1A and the actuator set 92 share a commonimplementation association. For example, embedded control electronics ofa farming tractor includes the user device 1-1A and a farming plantingmechanism, propelled by the farming tractor, includes the actuator set92, where the actuator set 92 facilitates actions associated withplanting along the drive path 1-1-1.

Each actuator may be associated with one or more of the tracks 1-7. Forexample, actuator 1 is associated with track 1, actuator 2 is associatedwith track 2, etc. through actuator 7 is associated with track 7,actuator L is associated with tracks 1-4, actuator R is associated withtracks 4-7, and actuator ALL is associated with tracks 1-7. For example,actuators 1-7 include planting actuators, actuator L includes amechanism to simultaneously adjust a position of actuators 1-4 (e.g.,lift left, lower left), actuator R includes a mechanism tosimultaneously adjust a position of actuators 4-7 (e.g., lift right,lower right), and actuator ALL includes a mechanism to simultaneouslyadjust a position of actuators 1-7 (e.g., lift all, lower all).

In an example of operation, the application processing module 34 of theuser device 1-1A extracts the control information 94 from the receivedagricultural prescription 80 and activates the actuator set 92 with thecontrol information 94. As the user device 1-1A and the actuator set 92traverses the drive path 1-1-1 at velocity 1-1-1, the actuator set 92performs the actions of the control information 94 (e.g., plants seedsalong the tracks) in accordance with a plurality of action data 1,1,1,2, 1,3, 1,4, etc., and the application processing module 34 capturessensor data 70 from the array of sensors at data capture points 1,1,1,2, 1,3, 1,4, etc. The application processing module 34 may update thecontrol information 94 based on the captured sensor data 70. Forexample, the application processing module modifies a planting depth ofthe control information 94 based on a moisture sensor data value and inaccordance with the agricultural prescription 80.

FIG. 12A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the wireless location network 18 of FIG.5, a geographic region 2-1, the wireless communication network 2 of FIG.1, the network 24 of FIG. 1, the user device 14 of FIG. 5, theapplication unit 16 of FIG. 5, and the storage unit 36 of FIG. 5. Thegeographic region 2-1 includes the user devices 2-1A, 2-1B, and 2-1C ofFIG. 5, where the user device 2-1A traverses the drive path 2-1 of FIG.5. Each of the user device 14, the application unit 16, and the storageunit 36 include the application processing module 34 of FIG. 5. Thestorage unit 36 further includes the memory 58 of FIG. 5.

The computing system is operable to collect data to generate anagricultural prescription for the geographic region 2-1. In an exampleof operation of the collecting of the data to generate the agriculturalprescription, the user device 2-1B obtains one or more prescriptionsassociated with the geographic region 2-1. For example, the applicationprocessing module 34 of the application unit 16 generates the one ormore prescriptions and sends the one or more prescriptions, via thenetwork 24, to the wireless communication network 2. The wirelesscommunication network 2 sends wireless communication signals 42 to theuser device 2-1C, where the wireless communication signals 42 includesthe one or more prescriptions. The user device 2-1C sends furtherwireless communication signals 42 to the user device 2-1B, where thefurther wireless communication signals 42 include the one or moreprescriptions.

Having obtained the one or more prescriptions associated with thegeographic region 2-1, the user device 2-1B interprets received data,via interface information 40, from the user device 2-1A to produce rawsensor data sets for the geographic region 2-1. For example, the userdevice 2-1B receives the interface information 40 from the user device2-1B during traversal of the drive path 2-1 to produce the raw sensordata sets. Having produced the raw sensor data sets, the user device2-1B obtains location information associated with the raw sensor datasets. The obtaining includes at least one of interpreting the receiveddata and interpreting wireless location signals 38 received directlyfrom the wireless location network 18. Having obtained the locationinformation, the user device 2-1B associates the raw sensor data setswith the obtained location information to produce location enabledsensor data sets. For example, the user device 2-1B tags each sensordata value with a corresponding location coordinate, where the sensordata value pertains to the location coordinate.

Having produced the location enabled sensor data sets, the user device2-1B stores the location enabled sensor data sets in a local memory.Having stored the location enabled sensor data sets, the user device2-1B identifies at least one prescription of the one or moreprescriptions associated with the location information. For example, theuser device 2-1B identifies location coordinates of a prescription thatsubstantially match location information of the location enabled sensordata sets. For instance, the user device 2-1B identifies a prescriptionassociated with geographic region 2-1.

Having identified the at least one prescription, the user device 2-1Bassociates the identified prescription with the location enabled sensordata sets to produce prescription based location enabled sensor datasets. For example, the user device 2-1B tags the location enabled sensordata sets with an identifier of the identified prescription to producethe prescription based location enabled sensor data sets.

Having produced the location enabled sensor data sets, the user device2-1B performs a filtering function on the prescription based locationenabled sensor data sets in accordance with a filter identifier of theidentified prescription to produce sensor data sets for the geographicregion 2-1. For example, the user device 2-1B discards one or moreportions of sensor data not associated with the prescription whileretaining other portions of the sensor data associated with theprescription.

Having performed the filtering function, the user device 2-1B sends, viathe user device 2-1C, by wireless communication network 2, and thenetwork 24, the sensor data sets for geographic region 2-1 to thestorage unit 36 for storage and subsequent processing by the applicationunit 16 to produce at least one of a new prescription and an updatedprescription. For example, the application unit receives guidance 72from the user device with regards to the geographic region 2-1 (e.g., aninstruction to collect sensor data), obtains data records 2 thatincludes the sensor data sets for geographic region 2-1, generates theat least one of the new prescription and the updated prescription, andsends, via the network 24, the at least one of the new prescription andthe updated prescription to the user device 14 and, via the wirelessnetwork 2 and the user device 2-1C, to the user device 2-1B for furtherexecution of steps within the geographic region 2-1. The operation ofthe user device 2-1B is discussed in greater detail with reference toFIG. 12B.

FIG. 12B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a drive unit120 that includes a first interface 124, the computing unit 26 of FIG.5, and a second interface 126. The drive unit 120 may be implementedutilizing the user device 2-1B of FIG. 12A. The first interface 124includes a controller area network (CAN) bus interface 110 to establisha first communication path with farm equipment (e.g., any equipmentassociated with execution of one or more steps of an agriculturalprescription associated with an agricultural lifecycle such as the userdevice 2-1A of FIG. 12A, i.e., a farming tractor). The firstcommunication path may be utilized to communicate one or more of sensordata and controller data between the farm equipment and the drive unit120, where one or more sensors associated with the farm equipmentproduce sensor data and one or more controllers associated with the farmequipment produces the controller data. The one or more sensors and theone or more controllers may conform to a very sensor types and variouscontroller types in accordance with a farm equipment type. For example,when the farm equipment includes a tractor, examples of sensor typesincludes engine speed, fuel consumption, an area/distance counter (e.g.,GPS, radar), power take off (PTO), tractor hydraulics (e.g., pressure,flow), hydraulic pump speed, wheel speed, and wheel slippage; andexamples of controllers includes hydraulic directional, pressure, andflow controllers, hydraulic pump speed, speed controller, hitch positioncontroller, and a wheel position controller.

As another example, when the farm equipment includes seed plantingequipment (e.g., a planter, a drill, an air seeder), examples of sensortypes includes speed sensors (e.g., optical, other electromagneticsensors, impacts sensors), downforce sensors (e.g., load pins, loadcells, pressure sensors), soil property sensors, (e.g., reflectivitysensors, moisture sensors, electrical conductivity sensors, opticalresidue sensors, temperature sensors), component operating criteriasensors (e.g., planting depth sensors, and downforce cylinder pressuresensors, seed disc speed sensors, seed drive motor encoder, seedconveyor system speed sensors, vacuum level sensors), and pesticideapplication sensors (e.g., optical, other electromagnetic sensors,impacts sensors); and examples of controllers includes toolbar foldcontroller (e.g., valves associated with hydraulic cylinders), downforcecontrollers (e.g., valves associated with pneumatic cylinders, airbags,hydraulic cylinders) for applying downforce applied to individual rowunits or entire planter frame, planting depth controller (e.g., linearactuator), metering controllers (e.g., electric seed meter drive motors,hydraulic seed meter drive motors, swath control clutches), hybridselection controllers (e.g., seed meter drive motors, actuatorsselectively allowing or preventing seed or air/seed mixture fromdelivering seed to or from seed meters or central bulk hoppers), seedconveyor system controllers (e.g., belt seed delivery conveyor motor),marker controllers (e.g., pneumatic/hydraulic actuator), and pesticideapplication rate controller (e.g., metering drive controller, orificesize/position controller).

As another example, when the farm equipment includes tillage equipment(e.g., a tiller), examples of sensor types includes tool (e.g., shank,disc) position sensors (e.g., depth, gang angle, lateral spacing),downforce sensors, and draft force sensors; and examples of controllertypes includes downforce controllers and tool position controllers(e.g., depth, gang angle, lateral spacing).

As another example, when the farm equipment includes fertilizing orinsecticide application equipment (e.g., un-planter starter fertilizersystem, subsoil fertilizer applicator, fertilizer spreader), examples ofsensor types includes fluid system criteria sensors (e.g., flow,pressure) sensors associated with a tank, sectional order system-widesupply line, and row-specific supply line, kinematic sensors (e.g.,accelerometers disposed on a sprayer boom); and example of controllertypes includes pump speed controllers, valve (e.g., pressure control,flow control, directional) controller, and position actuators (e.g.,boom height, subsoil depth).

As another example, when the farm equipment includes harvestingequipment (e.g., a harvester), examples of sensor types includes a yieldmonitor (e.g., impact plate strain gauge or position sensors, capacitiveflow sensor, load/weight sensor or torque sensor associated withelevator or auger, optical or other electromagnetic grain heightsensors), grain moisture sensors (e.g., capacitive sensors), a grainloss sensor (e.g., impact, optical, capacitive), header operatingcriteria sensors (e.g., header height, header type, deck plate gap,feeder speed, reel speed), separator operating criteria sensors (e.g.,concave clearance, rotor speed, shoe clearance, chaffer clearance),auger position/operation/speed sensors, and an engine speed sensor; andexamples of controllers includes header operating criteria controllers(e.g., header height, header type, deck plate, feeder speed, reelspeed), separator operating criteria controllers (e.g., concaveclearance, rotor speed, shoe clearance, chaffer clearance), and augerposition/operation/speed controllers. As another example, when the farmequipment includes a grain cart, examples of the sensor types includesweight sensors and auger position/operation/speed sensors; and examplesof controller types includes auger position/operation/speed controllers.

Alternatively, or in addition to, the first interface 124 may beimplemented utilizing an on-board diagnostics (OBD) interface or anyother de facto or de jure industry standard interface. The computingunit 26 includes the application processing module 34 of FIG. 5 and thememory 58 of FIG. 5. The second interface 126 includes a Bluetoothwireless location modem 1 to establish a second communication path witha portable computing device 122 (e.g., the user device 2-1C of FIG.12A). Alternatively, or in addition to, the second interface 126includes at least one of a Wi-Fi indication modem, a 60 GHzcommunication modem, an infrared communication modem, any other wirelessconnectivity wireless communication modem, and a wireline interface(e.g., a universal serial bus (USB) interface) may be utilized in lieuof the Bluetooth wireless communication modem 1.

The user device 2-1B is operable to facilitate the collecting of thedata to generate the agricultural prescription. In an example ofoperation of the facilitating of the collecting of the data to generatethe agricultural prescription, the Bluetooth wireless communicationmodem 1 interprets Bluetooth wireless communication signals 116 from theuser device 2-1C to produce wireless messages 1, where the wirelessmessages 1 have been encoded with one or more agriculturalprescriptions. The application processing module 34 extracts the one ormore agricultural prescriptions from the wireless messages 1 and storesthe one or more agricultural prescriptions in the memory 58.

Having received the one or more agricultural prescriptions, the CAN businterface 110 receives CAN data 114 from the user device 2-1A to produceinterface information 40. The application processing module 34interprets the interface information 40 to produce raw sensor data sets.For example, the application processing module 34 decodes the interfaceinformation 40 in accordance with a CAN industry standard to produce theraw sensor data sets.

Having produced the raw sensor data sets, the application processingmodule 34 interprets the raw sensor data sets to produce locationinformation. As a specific example, the application processing module 34extracts coordinated universal time (UTC) and global positioning system(GPS) coordinates from the CAN data 114, where the user device 2-1Areceives the GPS location signals 112 to produce the UTC. As anotherspecific example, the application processing module 34 synchronizes alocal time with the extracted UTC to produce a synchronized local timeand further processes (e.g., interpolation, geolocation refinement) theextracted GPS coordinates utilizing the synchronized local time toprovide the location information.

Having produced the location information, the application processingmodule 34 associates the raw sensor data sets with the obtained locationinformation to produce location enabled sensor data sets. For example,the application processing module tags sensor data with correspondingUTC and GPS location coordinates of time-of-receipt to produce thelocation enabled sensor data sets. Having produced the location enabledsensor data sets, the application processing module 34 stores thelocation enabled sensor data sets in the memory 58.

The application processing module 34 identifies at least oneprescription of the one or more prescriptions associated with thelocation information. For example, the application processing module 34identifies a geographic location area associated with the prescriptionthat is substantially the same as the obtained location information.Having identified the prescription, the application processing module 34associates the identified prescription with the location enabled sensordata sets to produce prescription based location enabled sensor datasets. For example, the application processing module 34 tags thelocation enabled sensor data sets with an identifier of the identifiedprescription to produce these prescription based location enabled sensordata sets.

Having produced the prescription based location enabled sensor datasets, the application processing module 34 performs a filtering functionon the prescription based location enabled sensor data sets inaccordance with a filter identifier of the identified prescription toproduce sensor data sets. For example, the application processing module34 discards one or more portions of sensor data and not associated withthe prescription. Alternatively, the application processing module 34applies a null filter to prevent discarding any sensor data.

The application processing module 34 generates further wireless messages1 based on the sensor data sets. Having produced the further wirelessmessages 1, the application processing module 34 sends the furtherwireless messages 1 to the Bluetooth wireless communication modem 1 fortransmission to the user device 2-1C for retransmission, via any one ormore wireless industry standards, including fourth-generation (4G)wireless communication signals 118, to a storage unit for storage andsubsequent processing to produce at least one of an updated agriculturalprescription and a new agricultural prescription.

In another example of operation of the facilitating of the collecting ofthe data by the drive unit 120 to generate the agriculturalprescription, the drive unit 120 receives, via the first interface 124of the drive unit 120, data from farm equipment to produce agriculturaldata. For example, the CAN bus interface 110 receives the CAN data 114from the user device 2-1A (e.g., a tractor) and produces interfaceinformation for at least temporary storage in the memory 58, where theCAN data 114 and the interface information 40 includes the data. Theagricultural data may include one or more of location information,timestamp information, terrain information, soil sampling information,accelerometer information, gyroscope information, velocity information,weather information, magnetic field information, imaging data, chemicaldetection, fluid flow volume, sensor data, and execution phase of anagricultural prescription.

The producing of the agricultural data may include the drive unit 120receiving, via the second interface 126 of the drive unit 120,additional data from the portable computing device 122. For example, thecomputing unit 26 receives wireless messages 1 (e.g., including theadditional data) from the Bluetooth wireless communication modem 1,where the Bluetooth wireless location modem 1 interprets Bluetoothwireless communication signals 116 received from the user device 2-1C.Having received the additional data, the application processing module34 integrates the additional data with the data to produce theagricultural data.

The producing of the agricultural data may further include the driveunit 120 receiving, via the first interface 124 of the drive unit 120,first location information from the farm equipment. For example, the CANbus interface 110 receives the CAN data 114 from the user device 2-1A toproduce interface information 40 that includes the first locationinformation, where the user device 2-1A interprets the GPS wirelesslocation signals 112 (e.g., GPS wireless location signals 1) to producethe first location information (e.g., location information 1).Alternatively, the user device 2-1A produces the CAN data 114 to includenull first location information when the GPS wireless location signals112 are unavailable to the user device 2-1A or when the user device 2-1Ais unable to interpret the GPS wireless location signals 112.

Having received the first location information, the drive unit 120receives, via the second interface 126 of the drive unit 120, secondlocation information (e.g., location information 2) from the portablecomputing device 122. For example, the Bluetooth wireless communicationmodem 1 receives Bluetooth wireless communication signals 116 to producethe wireless messages 1 that includes the second location information,where the user device 2-1C interprets the GPS wireless location signals112 (e.g., GPS wireless location signals 2 of proximal location to theGPS wireless location signals 1) to produce the second locationinformation. Having received the wireless messages 1, the applicationprocessing module 34 processes the wireless messages 1 to produce thesecond location information. For example, the application processingmodule 34 extracts the second location information from the wirelessmessages 1. As another example, the application processing module 34facilitates conversion of the wireless messages 1 into a formatassociated with the CAN data 114, where the second location informationis represented in received interface information 40. As another example,the application processing module 34 interprets the wireless messages 1as the format of the CAN data 114 utilizing the CAN bus industrystandard to produce the second location information, when the portablecomputing device 122 encodes the second location information utilizingthe CAN bus industry standard.

Having received the first and second location information, the driveunit 120 integrates the first and second location information intocomposite location information (e.g., location information 388 of FIG.20B) as part of the agricultural data. The receiving of the first andsecond location information and producing of the composite locationinformation is discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS.20A-C.

Having produced the agricultural data, the drive unit 120 determines afiltering constraint based on one or more parameters selected from aplurality of lists of agricultural parameters. The plurality of lists ofagricultural parameters includes two or more of a list of crop cycleparameters, a list of types of agricultural prescription parameters, anda list of types of farm equipment. The list of crop cycle parametersincludes one or more of a planting cycle, a harvesting cycle, a tendingcycle, a fertilizing cycle, a watering cycle, and a weeding cycle. Thelist of types of agricultural prescription parameters includes one ormore of a planting plan, a speed plan, a fertilizing plan, a wateringplan, a weeding plan, and a harvesting plan (e.g., each plan may includea geographic location, a pattern of traversal of the geographiclocation, a distribution pattern, a volume of distributionspecification, and a schedule). The list of types of farm equipmentincludes one or more of planting equipment, a tractor, fertilizingequipment, watering equipment, weeding equipment, and harvestingequipment, etc.

The selecting the one or more parameters may include the drive unit 120receiving, via the second interface 126 of the drive unit 120, aninstruction to collect a particular type of data. For example, thecomputing unit 26 receives a wireless message 1 that includes theinstruction to collect the particular data from the Bluetooth wirelesslocation modem 1, where the Bluetooth wireless communication modem 1receives Bluetooth wireless communication signals 116 that includes theinstruction from the user device 2-1C, and where the user device 2-1Creceives 4G wireless communication signals 118 that includes theinstruction. Having received the instruction, the drive unit 120 selectsthe one or more parameters based on the instruction. For example, theapplication processing module 34 includes the planting cycle, theplanting plan, and the planting equipment parameters in the filteringconstraint when the received instruction includes a gather plantinginformation instruction.

Having determined the filtering constraint, the drive unit 120 filtersthe agricultural data based on the filtering constraint to producefiltered agricultural data. For example, the application processingmodule 34 retrieves the agricultural data from the memory 58 and filtersthe agricultural data using the planting parameters to produce thefiltered agricultural data with regards to the planting information.

Having produced the filtered agricultural data, the drive unit 120determines processing of the filtered agricultural data. The processingof the filtered agricultural data includes processing of the filteredagricultural data by the drive unit 120 and/or processing of thefiltered agricultural data by a host server (e.g., the application unit16). The determining may be based on one or more of a receivedinstruction, a value of a portion of the filtered agricultural data(e.g., a comparison of the value to a value threshold is favorable totrigger the processing determining), an ability level of the user device2-1A to execute a modified agricultural prescription versus an existingagricultural prescription, and a level of a number of further farmequipment required to execute the existing agricultural prescription.For example, the drive unit 120 determines to process the filteredagricultural data locally (e.g., by the drive unit 120) when a change tothe existing agricultural prescription is feasible. As another example,the drive unit 120 determines to have the filtered agricultural dataprocessed by the host server (e.g., the application unit 16 of FIG. 12A)when the existing agricultural prescription includes an indicator forthe host server to modify existing agricultural prescriptions.

Having determined the processing of the filtered agricultural data, thedrive unit 120 facilitates the executing of the processing of thefiltered agricultural data. As an example of determining the processingof the filtered agricultural data and the executing the processing ofthe filtered agricultural data, the application processing module 34determines that the filtered agricultural data is to be processed by thedrive unit 120 for modifying the existing agricultural prescription,modifies the existing agricultural prescription in accordance with thefiltered agricultural data to produce the modified agriculturalprescription, and outputs, via the first interface 124 of the drive unit120, the modified agricultural prescription to the farm equipment (e.g.,sends the modified agricultural prescription and/or steps associatedwith the modified agricultural prescription to the user device 2-1Aencoded as CAN data 114).

As another example of the determining the processing of the filteredagricultural data and the executing the processing of the filteredagricultural data, the application processing module 34 determines thatthe filtered agricultural data is to be processed by the host server,and outputs, via the second interface 126 of the drive unit 120, thefiltered agricultural data to the host server (e.g., generates wirelessmessages 1 to include the filtered agricultural data, the Bluetoothwireless communication modem 1 sends Bluetooth wireless communicationsignals 116 that includes the filtered agricultural data to the userdevice 2-1C, the user device 2-1C sends 4G wireless location signals 118that includes the filtered agricultural data to the host server).

Having sent the filtered agricultural prescription, the drive unit 120receives, via the second interface 126 of the drive unit 120, a newagricultural prescription or a modified agricultural prescription fromthe host server (e.g., the application processing module 34 receivesfurther wireless messages 1 that includes the modified agriculturalprescription), and outputs, via the first interface 124 of the driveunit 120, the new agricultural prescription or the modified agriculturalprescription to the farm equipment (e.g., using the interfaceinformation 40 to the CAN bus interface 110 and encoded as CAN data 114to the user device 2-1A).

FIG. 12C is a flowchart illustrating an example of collecting data togenerate an agricultural prescription. The method begins or continues atstep 140 where a processing module (e.g., of a user device) obtains oneor more agricultural prescriptions. The obtaining includes at least oneof initiating a query, receiving a query response, and autonomouslyreceiving the one or more agricultural prescriptions. The methodcontinues at step 142 where the processing module interprets receiveddata to produce raw sensor data sets of a current geographic region. Forexample, the processing module converts received data into informationusing an associated protocol standard.

The method continues at step 144 where the processing module obtainslocation information of the current geographic region. As a specificexample, the processing module interprets the received data to extractUTC and location coordinates. As another specific example, theprocessing module interprets received wireless location signals toproduce the UTC and location coordinates.

The method continues at step 146 where the processing module associatesthe raw sensor data sets with the obtained location information toproduce location enabled sensor data sets. As a specific example, theprocessing module attaches time tags of time arrival and locationcoordinates to portions of the raw sensor data set to produce thelocation enabled sensor data sets. The method continues at step 148where the processing module stores the location enabled sensor data setsavailable memory.

The method continues at step 150 where the processing module identifiesat least one agricultural prescription associated with the locationinformation. As a specific example, the processing module identifies aregion of the prescription that substantially matches a region of thelocation information. The method continues at step 152 where theprocessing module associates the identified agricultural prescriptionwith the location enabled sensor data sets to produce prescription basedlocation enabled sensor data sets. As a specific example, the processingmodule tags the location enabled sensor data sets with an identifier ofthe identified agricultural prescription.

The method continues at step 154 where the processing module performs afiltering function on the prescription based location enabled sensordata sets in accordance with a filter identifier of the identifiedagricultural prescription to produce sensory data sets for the currentgeographic location. As a specific example, the processing moduleidentifies portions of the data associated with the agriculturalprescription and discards remaining portions.

The method continues at step 156 where the processing module sends thesensor data sets to a storage unit for storage and subsequent processingof the sensor data sets to produce at least one of an updatedprescription and a new prescription. As a specific example, theprocessing module sends the sensor data sets via a wireless link toanother user device for retransmission, via a wireless network, to thestorage unit. As another specific example, the processing module sends,via a wireline connection, the sensor data sets to yet another userdevice for retransmission to the storage unit.

FIG. 12D is a flowchart illustrating another example of collecting datato generate an agricultural prescription. In particular, a method ispresented for use in conjunction with one or more functions and featuresdescribed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-11, 12A-C, and also FIG. 12D. Themethod begins at step 160 where a processing module of one or moreprocessing modules of a drive unit and/or of one or more computingdevices affiliated with farm equipment receives (e.g., via a firstinterface of the drive unit) data from the farm equipment to produceagricultural data. The producing of the agricultural data may includethe processing module receiving (e.g., via a second interface of thedrive unit) additional data from a portable computing device (e.g., asmart phone carried by a farm equipment operator, a laptop) andintegrating the additional data with the data to produce theagricultural data. The producing of the agricultural data may furtherinclude the processing module receiving (e.g., via the first interfaceof the drive unit) first location information from the farm equipment,receiving (e.g., via the second interface of the drive unit) secondlocation information from the portable computing device, and integratingthe first and second location information into composite locationinformation.

The method continues at step 162 where the processing module determinesa filtering constraint based on one or more parameters selected from aplurality of lists of agricultural parameters. The selecting the one ormore parameters may include the processing module receiving (e.g., via asecond interface of the drive unit) an instruction to collect aparticular type of data and selecting the one or more parameters basedon the instruction. The method continues at step 164 where theprocessing module filters the agricultural data based on the filteringconstraint to produce filtered agricultural data.

The method continues at step 166 where the processing module determinesprocessing of the filtered agricultural data. As an example of thedetermining the processing of the filtered agricultural data, theprocessing module determines that the filtered agricultural data is tobe processed by the drive unit for modifying an existing agriculturalprescription. As another example of the determining the processing ofthe filtered agricultural data, the processing module determines thatthe filtered agricultural data is to be processed by a host server. Themethod branches to step 172 when the processing module determines thatthe filtered agricultural data is to be processed by the host server.The method continues to step 168 when the processing module determinesthat the filtered agricultural data is to be processed by the driveunit.

When determining that the filtered agricultural data is to be processedby the drive unit for modifying the existing agricultural prescription,the method continues at step 168 where the processing module initiatesexecution of the processing of the filtered agricultural data bymodifying the existing agricultural prescription in accordance with thefiltered agricultural data to produce a modified agriculturalprescription. The method continues at step 170 where the processingmodule outputs (e.g., via the first interface of the drive unit) themodified agricultural prescription to the farm equipment.

When determining that the filtered agricultural data is to be processedby a host server, the method continues at step 172 where the processingmodule initiates the execution of the processing of the filteredagricultural data by outputting (e.g., via the second interface of thedrive unit) the filtered agricultural data to the computing device(e.g., for processing by one or more of the computing device as the hostserver and another remote computing device as the host server). Themethod continues at step 174 where the processing module receives (e.g.,via the second interface of the drive unit) a new agriculturalprescription or a modified agricultural prescription. The methodcontinues at step 176 where the processing module outputs (e.g., via thefirst interface of the drive unit) the new agricultural prescription orthe modified agricultural prescription to the farm equipment.

The method described above in conjunction with the processing module canalternatively be performed by other modules of the one or more computingdevices affiliated with the farm equipment or by other devicesassociated with general agricultural equipment. In addition, at leastone memory section (e.g., a non-transitory computer readable storagemedium) that stores operational instructions can, when executed by oneor more processing modules of the one or more computing devicesaffiliated with the farm equipment, cause the one or more computingdevices to perform any or all of the method steps described above.

FIG. 13A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The user device 14, the application unit 16,and the storage unit 36 includes the application processing module 34 ofFIG. 5. The storage unit 36 further includes the memory 58 of FIG. 5.The geographic region 1 includes associated user devices 1-1A, and 1-1Cof FIG. 1, with actuator set 1A and associated user devices 1-2A, and1-2C of FIG. 1, with actuator set 2A. The geographic region 1 mayinclude further associations of user devices and actuators. The userdevice 1-1A traverses portions of drive paths 1, 2, and 3 with avelocity of A within the geographic region 1 in accordance with anagricultural prescription 1A and the user device 1-2A traverses portionsof drive paths 2 and 3 with a velocity of B within the geographic region1 in accordance with an agricultural prescription 2A. The agriculturalprescriptions 1A and 2A are discussed in greater detail with referenceto FIG. 13B.

The computing system is operable to update resource assignmentsassociated with an agricultural prescription. In an example of operationof the updating of the resource assignments, the application unit 16generates the agricultural prescriptions 1A and 2A based on data records1 and guidance 72 from the user device 14, where the agriculturalprescriptions includes action data that includes a plurality of steps tobe executed by at least one of user devices 1-1A and 1-2A. The datarecords 1 include historical sensor data sets for region 1, receivedfrom resources associated with geographic region 1.

Having generated the prescriptions, the application unit 16 determinesan availability level of resources (e.g., tractor availability, combineavailability, fertilizer applicator availability, and task executioncapacity level for resources) for assignment of portions of theagricultural prescriptions. The determining may be based on one or moreof initiating a query, interpreting the received query response,performing a lookup, interpreting a schedule, and estimating. Havingdetermined the availability level, the application unit 16 selects oneor more resources based on the availability levels (e.g., prioritizesselection of resources associated with the most favorable availabilitylevels).

For each selected resource, the application unit 16 assigned to aportion of the agricultural prescription, where each portion of theagricultural prescription includes a schedule for at least some of theplurality of steps and schedule time frames for at least some of thesteps. For example, the application unit partitions the plurality ofsteps between the resources based on the availability levels and sendsthe assigned portions of the steps to the resources. For instance, theapplication unit sends the prescriptions 1A and 2A, via the network 24and the wireless communication network 1, to the user devices 1-1A and1-2A.

While the resources are executing the agricultural prescription, theapplication unit 16 monitors subsequently generated data records fromthe assigned resources. For example, the application unit receives datarecords 1 that includes subsequent sensor data sets for region 1. Forinstance, user device 1-1A sends sensor data sets as steps are executedalong one or more of the drive paths 1-3.

When a time difference between actual execution of a subset of steps andscheduled execution of the subset of steps exceeds a time threshold, theapplication unit 16 updates the availability level of the resources. Forexample, the application unit 16 detects unfavorable schedule adherence(e.g., too far behind schedule, too far ahead of schedule, unnecessarilyidling) by the user device 1-1A while executing the steps of theprescription 1-A. The application unit 16 may issue an analysis summary78 that includes a schedule adherence alert, via the network 24, to theuser device 14 (e.g., associated with a farm foreman).

Having updated the availability level of the resources, the applicationunit 16 re-assigns un-executed portions of the agricultural prescriptionto produce updated prescriptions based on the updated availability levelof the resources. For example, the application unit 16 re-partitionsremaining steps based on the updated availability levels and sends there-assigned remaining steps to the assigned resources. For instance, theapplication unit moves steps associated with drive paths 2 and 3 fromassignment with user device 1-1A over to user device 1-2A. Havingproduced the updated prescriptions, the application unit 16 sends theupdated prescriptions to the user devices 1-1A and 1-2A for subsequentexecution.

FIGS. 13B-C are a diagram of agricultural prescription resource mappingwhere the prescriptions 1A and 2A include initially assigned action datafor user devices 1-1A and 1-2A in accordance with the agriculturalprescription. For example, the user device 1-1A is assigned to performaction data 1,1, 1,2, 1,3 along drive path 1, action data 2,1 and 2,2along drive path 2, and action data 3,4 along drive path 3 while userdevice 1-2A is assigned to perform further action data 2,3, 2,4, and 2,5along the drive path 2 and further action data 3,1, 3,2, and 3,3 alongthe drive path 3.

FIG. 13B illustrates an example of operation, the user device 1-1A fallsbehind schedule while executing the assigned tasks along the drive paths1-3 and reports sensor data to the application unit of FIG. 13A, wherethe sensor data includes task execution indications. The user device1-2A performs tasks of prescription 2A in accordance with scheduled timeframes and reports sensor data to the application unit.

FIG. 13C illustrates the reassignment of schedule tasks based on updatedresource availability. For example, the prescription 1A is modified todiscard the action data steps associated with drive paths 2 and 3 whilethe prescription 2A is modified to add the action steps discarded fromthe prescription 1A such that the user device 1-2A is assigned toexecution of the action steps for drive paths 2 and 3.

FIG. 13D is a flowchart illustrating an example of updating resourceassignments. The method begins or continues at step 180 where aprocessing module (e.g., of an application unit) generates anagricultural prescription based on obtained data records and guidance.For example, the application unit obtains the data records from astorage unit, where the data records includes sensor data associatedwith a geographic region. The application unit analyzes the data recordsin accordance with received guidance to produce an analysis. Theapplication unit summarizes the analysis based on a historical summaryfor the geographic region. The application unit generates theprescription based on the analysis summary, the guidance, and thehistorical summary, where the prescription includes a plurality of stepsand a schedule of time frames associated with the steps. The applicationunit stores the agricultural prescription.

The method continues at step 182 where the processing module determinesa level of availability of resources for assignment of portions of theagricultural prescription. For example, the processing module identifiesresources associated with the geographic region, and, for eachidentified resource, the processing module determines a task executioncapacity level as the level of availability for the resource, where thetask execution capacity level is associated with a task type of theagricultural prescription.

For each resource, the method continues at step 184 where the processingmodule assigns a portion of the agricultural prescription where eachportion includes an execution schedule for steps associated with theportion. For example, the processing module identifies the portion ofthe agricultural prescription that includes a group of associated steps(e.g., of a common sub-geographic region, for a common task type),determines goals for execution of steps of the agricultural prescription(e.g., to adhere to a schedule, to be achieved under a maximum costlevel, to be achieved utilizing the available materials, and to beachieved utilizing the available resources), allocates the portion toone or more of the resources based on the associated level ofavailability of the resources that optimizes the achievement of thedesired goals, issues the assigned portions of the agriculturalprescription to the resource (e.g., sends a schedule of steps to atractor), and stores the assignments.

While the resources are executing the agricultural prescription, themethod continues at step 186 where the processing module monitorssubsequent data records generated by the resources. For example, theprocessing module receives sensor data sets directly from the resources.As another example, the processing module recovers stored data recordsfrom the storage unit that includes recent sensor data sets associatedwith the executing of the agricultural prescription.

The method continues at step 188 where the processing module detects anunfavorable schedule adherence based on the subsequent data records. Forexample, the processing module interprets the subsequent data records toidentify actual execution of steps, compares the actual execution to theexecution schedule for the steps associated with the agriculturalprescription to produce a difference, and indicates unfavorable scheduleadherence when the difference is greater than a difference thresholdlevel (e.g., behind schedule, ahead of schedule). As another example,the processing module detects an unfavorable goal adherence for goalsunrelated to the time schedule (e.g., too costly, too many raw materialsbeing utilized, etc.).

The method continues at step 190 where the processing module determinesan updated level of availability of the resources. For example, for eachidentified resource, the processing module re-determines the taskexecution capacity level as the level of availability for the resource.For instance, a resource may be idling even though it has manyunexecuted pending tasks. As another instance, another resource may havecompleted all tasks.

The method continues at step 192 where the processing module re-assignsone or more unexecuted portions of the agricultural prescription basedon the updated level of availability of the resources. For example, theprocessing module identifies the unexecuted portion of the agriculturalprescription associated with the unfavorable schedule adherence,determines goals for execution of the steps of the agriculturalprescription, re-allocates the portion to one or more of the resourcesbased on the associated level of availability of the resources thatoptimizes the achievement of the desired goals, issues re-assignedportions of the agricultural prescription to the resources (e.g., sendan up to date schedule of steps to another tractor), and stores theupdated assignments.

FIG. 14A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user 14 device of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes associateduser devices 1-1A, and 1-1C of FIG. 1, with a combine actuator set 1A.The geographic region 1 may further include a user device 1-1B toprovide communication and processing of information between the userdevice 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in a similar fashion as user device2-1B provides processing and communication between user devices 2-1C and2-1A of FIG. 12A. The user device 1-1A includes sensors 190, theapplication processing module 34 of FIG. 4, and the wirelesscommunication modem 1 of FIG. 4. The sensors 190 include at least someof the sensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The user device 1-1A traverses portions ofa drive path 1 within the geographic region 1 in accordance with anagricultural prescription 1.

The computing system is operable to identify an unfavorable cropharvesting output level. In an example of operation of the identifyingof the unfavorable crop harvesting output level, the user device 1-1Afacilitates execution of the prescription 1 with regards to combining acrop for harvesting. For example, the user device 1-1A receives theprescription 1 from the wireless communication modem 1, where theapplication unit 16 sends, via the network 24, the prescription 1 to thewireless communication network 1, where the wireless communicationnetwork 1 sends wireless communication signals 42, that includes theprescription 1, to the user device 1-1C, and where the user device 1-1Cissues further wireless communication signals 42, that includes theprescription 1, to the wireless communication modem 1.

Having received the prescription 1, the application processing module 34of the user device 1-1A issues control information 196 to the combineactuator set 1A based on the prescription 1. The control information 196may include one or more settings for the combine. The settings includeone or more of chaffer position, sieve position, concave spacing, andthresher revolutions per minute (RPM). The combine actuator set 1A mayfurther operate in accordance with local settings 194 provided by anoperator of the combine. As such, the combine operates in accordancewith one or more of the local settings 194 and the control information196.

Having issued the control information 196 to the combine actuator set1A, the application processing module 34 interprets sensor data 192 fromthe sensors 190 and combine status 198 to generate output data 200 andwaste data 202. The output data 200 includes a rate of crops produced(e.g., by count, by volume, by weight). The waste data 202 includes arate of crops wasted. The application processing module 34 sends one ormore of the sensor data 192, the output data 200, and the waste data 202as data sets for region 1 to the storage unit 36 for storage in thememory 58 and subsequent delivery as data records 1 to the applicationunit 16 for further processing.

When the output data 200 compares unfavorably to expected output data ofthe prescription 1 and/or when the waste data 202 compares unfavorablyto expected waste data of the prescription 1, the application processingmodule 34 of the user device 1-1A facilitates corrective action. Thefacilitating includes selecting the action and executing the selectedaction. The selecting may be based on one or more of a predetermination,instructions extracted from the prescription 1, guidance 72 from theuser device 14, and a magnitude level of the unfavorable comparison. Theactions includes identifying a settings template 204 based on the localsettings 194, issuing a settings alert 206 to one or more of the userdevice 14 and the storage unit 36, and executing another prescription(e.g., prescription 2) received from the application unit 16 and/ordetermined by the user device 1-1A based on the prescription 1. Forexample, the prescription 2 may include corrective action to overridethe local settings 194 with new control information 196 to optimize theoutput data 200 and waste data 202.

FIG. 14B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying anunfavorable crop harvesting output level. The method begins or continuesat step 210 where a processing module (e.g., of an agricultural resourceuser device) facilitates execution of an agricultural prescriptionwithin a local resource that includes a combine to harvest crops. Forexample, the processing module issues control information to a combineactuator based on the agricultural prescription.

While executing the agricultural prescription, the method continues atstep 212 where the processing module interprets sensor data and combinestatus to generate output data and waste data associated with harvestingcrops. The interpreting includes determining a level of crop output asthe output data based on the combine status in the sensor data anddetermining a level of crop waste as the waste data based on the combinestatus in the sensor data.

The method continues at step 214 where the processing module detects anunfavorable comparison of the output data and the waste data withexpected output data and expected waste data of the agriculturalprescription. For example, the processing module extracts the expectedoutput data and the expected waste data from the agriculturalprescription, compares the output data to the expected output data,compares the expected waste data to the waste data, and indicates theunfavorable comparison when a difference of either comparison is greaterthan a difference threshold level (e.g., too little crop output, toomuch waste).

The method continues at step 216 where the processing module identifiesa settings template based on local settings of the combine. For example,the processing module receives the local settings from the combine andcompares the received local settings to a plurality of settingstemplates to identify the settings template.

The method continues at step 218 where the processing module issues asettings alert that includes the settings template to a managing userdevice. For example, the processing module generates the settings alertto include one or more of the settings template and the difference ofthe unfavorable comparison.

The method continues at step 220 where the processing module obtains anupdated agricultural prescription. For example, the processing modulesends one or more of the output data and the waste data to anapplication unit and receives the updated agricultural prescription. Asanother example, the processing module generates the updatedagricultural prescription based on one or more of the agriculturalprescription, the output data, the waste data, and the sensor data. Forinstance, the processing module generates updated control information toaffect one or more settings of the combine to improve output and reducewaste.

The method continues at step 222 where the processing module facilitatesexecution of the updated agricultural prescription within the localresource. For example, the processing module overwrites local settingswith the updated control information of the updated agriculturalprescription.

FIG. 15A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes associateduser devices 1-1A, and 1-1C of FIG. 1, with a planter actuator set 1A.The geographic region 1 may further include a user device 1-1B toprovide communication and processing of information between the userdevice 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in a similar fashion as user device2-1B provides processing and communication between user devices 2-1C and2-1A of FIG. 12A. The user device 1-1A includes sensors 190, theapplication processing module 34 of FIG. 4, and the wirelesscommunication modem 1 of FIG. 4. The sensors 190 include at least someof the sensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The user device 1-1A traverses portions ofa drive path 1 within the geographic region 1 in accordance with anagricultural prescription 1.

The computing system is operable to identify an unfavorable cropplanting level. In an example of operation of the identifying of theunfavorable crop planting level, the user device 1-1A facilitatesexecution of the prescription 1 with regards to planting a crop. Forexample, the user device 1-1A receives the prescription 1 from thewireless communication modem 1, where the application unit 16 sends, viathe network 24, the prescription 1 to the wireless communication network1, where the wireless communication network 1 sends wirelesscommunication signals 42, that includes the prescription 1, to the userdevice 1-1C, and where the user device 1-1C issues further wirelesscommunication signals 42, that includes the prescription 1, to thewireless communication modem 1.

Having received the prescription 1, the application processing module 34of the user device 1-1A issues control information 242 to the planteractuator set 1A based on the prescription 1. The control information 242may include one or more settings for the planter. The settings includeone or more of population, speed, depth, and downforce pressure. Theplanter actuator set 1A may further operate in accordance with localsettings 240 provided by an operator of the planter. As such, theplanter operates in accordance with one or more of the local settings240 and the control information 242.

Having issued the control information 242 to the planter actuator set1A, the application processing module 34 interprets sensor data 192 ofthe sensors 190 and planter status 244 to generate error data 246. Theerror data 246 includes a difference between actual in desired plantingrates. The application processing module 34 sends one or more of thesensor data 192 and the error data 246 as data sets for region 1 to thestorage unit 36 for storage and subsequent delivery as data records 1 tothe application unit 16 for further processing.

When the error data 246 compares unfavorably to expected error data ofthe prescription 1, the application processing module 34 of the userdevice 1-1A facilitates corrective action. The facilitating includesselecting the action and executing the selected action. The selectingmay be based on one or more of a predetermination, instructionsextracted from the prescription 1, guidance 72 from the user device 14,and a magnitude level of the unfavorable comparison. The actionsincludes identifying a settings template 248 based on the local settings240, issuing a settings alert 250 to one or more of the user device 14and the storage unit 36, and executing another prescription (e.g.,prescription 2) received from the application unit 16 and/or determinedby the user device 1-1A based on the prescription 1. For example, theprescription 2 may include corrective action to override the localsettings 240 with new control information 242 to optimize the error data246.

FIG. 15B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying anunfavorable crop planting level. The method begins or continues at step260 where a processing module (e.g., of an agricultural resource userdevice) facilitates execution of an agricultural prescription within alocal resource that includes a planter to plant crops. For example, theprocessing module issues control information to a planter actuator basedon the agricultural prescription.

While executing the agricultural prescription, the method continues atstep 262 where the processing module interprets sensor data and planterstatus to generate error data associated with planting crops. Theinterpreting includes determining a level of crop planting based on theplanter status and the sensor data and determining a difference betweenthe level of crop planting and a desired level of crop planting from theagricultural prescription as the error data.

The method continues at step 264 where the processing module detects anunfavorable comparison of the error data with expected error data of theagricultural prescription. For example, the processing module extractsthe expected error data from the agricultural prescription, compares theerror data to the expected error data, and indicates the unfavorablecomparison when a difference of the comparison is greater than adifference threshold level (e.g., too little crop planted, too much cropplanted).

The method continues at step 266 where the processing module identifiesa settings template based on local settings of the planter. For example,the processing module receives the local settings from the planter andcompares the received local settings to a plurality of settingstemplates to identify the settings template.

The method continues at step 268 where the processing module issues asettings alert that includes the settings template to a managing userdevice. For example, the processing module generates the settings alertto include one or more of the settings template and the difference ofthe unfavorable comparison.

The method continues at step 270 where the processing module obtains anupdated agricultural prescription. For example, the processing modulesends the error data to the application unit and receives the updatedagricultural prescription. As another example, the processing modulegenerates the updated agricultural prescription based on one or more ofthe agricultural prescription, the error data, and the sensor data. Forinstance, the processing module generates updated control information toaffect one or more settings of the planter to improve planting accuracy.

The method continues at step 272 where the processing module facilitatesexecution of the updated agricultural prescription within the localresource. For example, the processing module overwrites local settingswith the updated control information of the updated agriculturalprescription.

FIG. 16A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes associateduser devices 1-1A, and 1-1C of FIG. 1, with an applicator actuator set1A. The geographic region 1 may further include a user device 1-1B toprovide communication and processing of information between the userdevice 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in a similar fashion as user device2-1B provides processing and communication between user devices 2-1C and2-1A of FIG. 12A. The user device 1-1A includes sensors 190, theapplication processing module 34 of FIG. 4, and the wirelesscommunication modem 1 of FIG. 4. The sensors 190 include at least someof the sensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The user device 1-1A traverses portions ofa drive path 1 within the geographic region 1 in accordance with anagricultural prescription 1.

The computing system is operable to identify an unfavorable applicantapplication level. The applicant includes any one of a solid, a liquid,and a gas applied to one or more portions of a geographic regionassociated with an agricultural lifecycle. Examples of the applicantincludes fertilizer, fungicide, pesticide, and water. In an example ofoperation of the identifying of the unfavorable applicant applicationlevel, the user device 1-1A facilitates execution of the prescription 1with regards to applying the applicant. For example, the user device1-1A receives the prescription 1 from the wireless communication modem1, where the application unit sends, via the network 24, theprescription 1 to the wireless communication network 1, where thewireless communication network 1 sends wireless communication signals42, that includes the prescription 1, to the user device 1-1C, and wherethe user device 1-1C issues further wireless communication signals 42,that includes the prescription 1, to the wireless communication modem 1.

Having received the prescription 1, the application processing module 34of the user device 1-1A issues control information 282 to the applicatoractuator set 1A based on the prescription 1. The control information 282may include one or more settings for the applicator. The settingsincludes one or more of the volume of applicant per unit of area, volumeof applicant per linear distance, speed, and volume of applicant appliedover a given time frame. The planter actuator set 1A may further operatein accordance with local settings 280 provided by an operator of theapplicator. As such, the applicator operates in accordance with one ormore of the local settings 280 and the control information 282.

Having issued the control information 282 to the applicator actuator set1A, the application processing module 34 interprets sensor data 192 fromthe sensors 190 and applicator status 284 to generate error data. Theerror data 286 includes a difference between actual and desiredapplication rates. The application processing module 34 sends one ormore of the sensor data 192 and the error data 286 as data sets forregion 1 to the storage unit 36 for storage in the memory 58 andsubsequent delivery as data records 1 to the application unit 16 forfurther processing.

When the error data 286 compares unfavorably to expected error data ofthe prescription 1, the application processing module 34 of the userdevice 1-1A facilitates corrective action. The facilitating includesselecting the action and executing the selected action. The selectingmay be based on one or more of a predetermination, instructionsextracted from the prescription 1, guidance 72 from the user device 14,and a magnitude level of the unfavorable comparison. The actionsincludes identifying a settings template 288 based on the local settings280, issuing a settings alert 290 to one or more of the user device 14and the storage unit 36, and executing another prescription (e.g.,prescription 2) received from the application unit 16 and/or determinedby the user device 1-1A based on the prescription 1. For example, theprescription 2 may include corrective action to override the localsettings 280 with new control information 282 to optimize the error data286.

FIG. 16B is a flowchart illustrating an example of identifying anunfavorable applicant application level. The method begins or continuesat step 300 where a processing module (e.g., of an agricultural resourceuser device) facilitates execution of an agricultural prescriptionwithin a local resource that includes an applicator to apply theapplicant. For example, the processing module issues control informationto an applicator actuator based on the agricultural prescription.

While executing the agricultural prescription, the method continues atstep 302 where the processing module interprets sensor data andapplicator status to generate error data associated with applying theapplicant. The interpreting includes determining a level of applicationof the applicant based on the applicator status and the sensor data, anddetermining a difference between the level of application of theapplicant and a desired level of application of the applicant from theagricultural prescription as the error data.

The method continues at step 304 where the processing module detects anunfavorable comparison of the error data with expected error data of theagricultural prescription. For example, the processing module extractsthe expected error data from the agricultural prescription, compares theerror data to the expected error data, and indicates the unfavorablecomparison when a difference of the comparison is greater than adifference threshold level (e.g., too little applicant applied, too muchapplicant applied).

The method continues at step 306 where the processing module identifiesa settings template based on local settings of the applicator. Forexample, the processing module receives the local settings from theapplicator and compares the received local settings to a plurality ofsettings templates to identify the settings template.

The method continues at step 308 where the processing module issues asettings alert that includes the settings template to a managing userdevice. For example, the processing module generates the settings alertto include one or more of the settings template and the difference ofthe unfavorable comparison.

The method continues at step 310 where the processing module obtains anupdated agricultural prescription. For example, the processing modulesends the error data to the application unit and receives the updatedagricultural prescription. As another example, the processing modulegenerates the updated agricultural prescription based on one or more ofthe agricultural prescription, the error data, and the sensor data. Forinstance, the processing module generates updated control information toaffect one or more settings of the applicator to improve applicantapplication accuracy.

The method continues at step 312 where the processing module facilitatesexecution of the updated agricultural prescription within the localresource. For example, the processing module overwrites local settingswith the updated control information of the updated agriculturalprescription.

FIG. 17A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes associateduser devices 1-1A, and 1-1C of FIG. 1, with a sensors set 1A, anactuator set 1A, and an auxiliary resource 1A. The auxiliary resource 1Aincludes an agricultural lifecycle resource. Examples of the auxiliaryresource includes a grain cart, a crop wagon, and a fertilizer containertrailer. The geographic region 1 further includes associated userdevices 1-2A, and 1-2C of FIG. 1, with a sensors set 2A and a tillageactuator set 2A. The geographic region 1 may further include a userdevice 1-1B to provide communication and processing of informationbetween the user device 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in a similarfashion as user device 2-1B provides processing and communicationbetween user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A. The sensors sets 1A and2A include at least some of the sensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The user devices1-1A and 1-2A traverse portions of a drive path 1 within the geographicregion 1 with respect to velocities A and B in accordance with one ormore agricultural prescriptions.

The computing system is operable to generate a tillage agriculturalprescription. In an example of operation of the generating of thetillage agricultural prescription, the application processing module 34of the application unit 16 (e.g., hereafter referred to interchangeablyas the application unit) obtains data records 1 for the geographicregion 1, where the data records 1 includes auxiliary data 1 and sensordata 1 from the user device 1-1A.

The auxiliary data 1 includes one or more of an auxiliary resource typeindicator (e.g., grain cart vs. crop wagon, etc.), an estimated weightof the auxiliary resource (e.g., in kilograms, in pounds; at differenttimes, and average over a time frame), a tire pattern (e.g., number oftires, tire width, separation between adjacent tires, separation betweenfront and rear tires, etc.), and an estimated soil compaction level(e.g., as a function of the auxiliary resource type, the estimatedweight, the tire pattern, and estimated rainfall volume and timing).

In an example of obtaining the auxiliary data 1, the application unit 16receives data records 1 from the storage unit 36, where the storage unit36 receives the auxiliary data 1, via the network 24 from the wirelesscommunication network 1, where the wireless communication networkreceives wireless communication signals 42 from the user device 1-1C,and where the wireless communication signals 42 includes the auxiliarydata 1. Having obtained the data records 1, the application unit 16identifies a plurality of geographic region traversals by one or moreauxiliary resources based on the auxiliary data 1. For example, theapplication unit 16 identifies the number of traversals by the userdevice 1-1A along the drive path 1, where each traversal includes theauxiliary resource 1A.

For each traversal, the application unit 16 estimates a level of soilimpact (e.g., compaction of the soil). The estimating may be based onone or more of the auxiliary resource type, the estimated weight, thetire pattern, and the estimated soil compaction level when available. Asa specific example, the application processing module 34 of theapplication unit 16 applies a deterministic function (e.g., a hashingfunction, a hash-based message authentication code, a sponge function, alogical function, a mask generating function) to the auxiliary resourcetype, the estimated weight, and the tire pattern to produce theestimated level of soil impact along the drive path 1. As anotherspecific example, the application processing module 34 of theapplication unit 16 performs a table lookup based on the auxiliaryresource type, the estimated weight, and the tire pattern to produce theestimated level of soil impact along the drive path 1.

Having generated the estimated level of soil impact levels for eachtraversal, the application unit generates an aggregate level of soilimpact based on the plurality of traversals. For example, theapplication processing module 34 of the application unit 16 applies afurther deterministic function to each of the estimated levels of soilimpact for each traversal to produce the aggregate level of soil impact.

Having generated the aggregate level of soil impact, the applicationunit 16 generates a tillage prescription 1 based on the aggregate levelof soil impact in one or more of guidance 72 from the user device 14(e.g., a desired level of soil compaction after tillage), the sensordata, historical summaries, and rainfall level information (e.g., wheremore rainfall lessons the compaction in accordance with a rainfallcompaction impact estimator). Having generated the tillage prescription1 the application unit sends, via the network 24 and the wirelesscommunication network 1, the tillage prescription 1 to the user device1-2A for execution within a geographic region 1 along the drive path 1with velocity B, where the user device 1-2A issues control informationto the tillage actuator set 2A to implement tillage steps in accordancewith the aggregate level of soil impact. For example, the tillage stepsinclude utilizing a higher than average level of downforce when theaggregate level of soil impact indicates a higher than average level ofsoil compaction.

FIG. 17B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a tillageagricultural prescription. The method begins or continues at step 320where a processing module (e.g., of an application unit) obtainsagricultural data records for a geographic region, where the recordsincludes auxiliary resource data. For example, the processing modulereceives the agricultural data records from one or more user devicesassociated with one or more auxiliary resources. As another example, theprocessing module receives the agricultural data records from a storageunit in response to issuing a query.

The method continues at step 322 where the processing module identifiesa plurality of geographic region traversals by one or more auxiliaryresources based on the agricultural data records. For example, theprocessing module analyzes the agricultural data records to identifysensor data associated with each traversal (e.g., including raw sensordata, GPS coordinates, and timing). For each traversal, the methodcontinues at step 324 where the processing module determines a level ofsoil impact within the geographic region. For example, the processingmodule analyzes the auxiliary data associated with the traversal, wherethe auxiliary data includes a composite of an auxiliary resource type,and estimated weight, and a tire pattern indicator. For instance, theprocessing module identifies a composite pattern and performs a lookupbased on the identified composite pattern to produce the level of soilimpact.

The method continues at step 326 where the processing module generatesan aggregate level of soil impact based on the plurality of traversals.For example, the processing module determines additive effects of soilimpact from each traversal along a common drive path. For instance, theprocessing module adds a deterministic function to provide the additiveeffects of a plurality of traversals along the common drive path.

The method continues at step 328 where the processing module generates atillage prescription based on the aggregate level of soil impact. Forexample, the processing module generates the tillage prescription basedon one or more of a desired level of tillage, the sensor data,historical summaries, and estimated soil moisture based on rainfallinformation associated with the geographic region. The tillageprescription includes execution steps including one or more of speed,drive path, depth, and a number of traversals along a common drive path.The method continues at step 330 where the processing module issues thetillage prescription to a user device for utilization of one or moretillage execution steps within the geographic region. For example, theprocessing module sends the tillage prescription to the user device thatis assigned to execute steps of the tillage prescription within thegeographic region. As another example, the processing module sends thetillage prescription to a managing user device

FIG. 18A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the user device 1-1A of FIG. 1, thesensors set 1A of FIG. 17A, the actuator set 1A of FIG. 13A, the userdevice 1-1C of FIG. 1, the user device 1-2A of FIG. 1, the sensors set2A of FIG. 17A, the actuator set 2A of FIG. 13A, the user device 1-2C ofFIG. 1, the geographic regions 1-1, 1-2, and 1-3 of geographic region 1of FIG. 3, the wireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network24 of FIG. 1, the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 ofFIG. 5, and the storage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The computing system mayfurther include a user device 1-1B to provide communication andprocessing of information between the user device 1-1C and the userdevice 1-1A in a similar fashion as user device 2-1B provides processingand communication between user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A. Theuser device 1-1A traverses a drive path 1 within the geographic regions1-1 through 1-3 in accordance with one or more agriculturalprescriptions.

The computing system is operable to generate a scouting agriculturalprescription. In an example of operation of the generating of thescouting of the agricultural prescription, the application processingmodule 34 of the application unit 16 obtains data records 1 associatedwith execution of a prescription 1 for one or more portions of ageographic region, where the data records 1 includes one or more ofsensor data 1 and historical summaries. Hereafter, the applicationprocessing module 34 of the application unit may 16 be interchangeablyreferred to as the application unit 16. In an example of the obtaining,the application unit 16 receives the data records 1 from the storageunit, where the storage unit receives the sensor data 1, via the network24, from the wireless communication network 1, where the wirelesscommunication network 1 receives wireless communication signals 42 fromthe user device 1-1C, where the wireless communication signals 42includes the sensor data 1, and where the user device 1-1A generates thesensor data 1 based on data from the sensors set 1A as the user device1-1A executes the prescription 1. The prescription 1 includes executionsteps associated with collecting the data within the geographic regions1-1 through 1-3. The application unit 16 generates the prescription 1based on previous data records 1 and guidance 72 from the user device14.

Having obtained the data records 1, the application unit 16 identifies agroup of geographic regions associated with similar traits. The traitsincludes one or more of soil conditions, moisture levels, crop yieldrates, soil nutrient levels, geographic proximity, crop types,elevation, and terrain variance. As a specific example, the applicationunit 16 identifies geographic regions 1-1 through 1-3 as the group ofassociated regions when the geographic regions 1-1 through 1-3 sharecommon crop types.

Having identified the group of geographic regions with the similartraits, the application unit 16 selects one of the geographic regionsfor further data collection. The selecting may be based on one or moreof a random selection, a round-robin approach, proximity of thegeographic region to a farming resource (e.g., to a tractor, a farmer),and availability of the geographic region to the farming resource (e.g.,ready for scouting). For example, the application unit 16 selectsgeographic region 1-3 when a distance between the geographic region 1-3and the user device 1-2A is favorable (e.g., less than a distancethreshold level).

Having selected the geographic region, the application unit 16facilitates collection of further data 1 from the selected geographicregion 1-3. As a specific example, the application unit 16 generates anupdated prescription 1 and sends the updated prescription 1 to userdevice 1-2A (e.g., an available resource within a favorable proximity ofthe selected geographic region), where the updated prescription 1indicates to collect data along a drive path 2 within the selectedgeographic region 1-3. The user device 1-2A collects the further data 1.As a specific example of the collecting of the further data 1, the userdevice 1-2A collects data from the sensors set 2A as the further data 1and sends the further data 1 to the application unit 16 (e.g., directlyvia the wireless communication network 1 and network or indirectly viathe storage unit 36 as well). As another specific example of thecollecting of the further data 1, the user device 1-2A receives manualdata input for the selected geographic region. For instance, a farmerenters crop condition data and soil condition data into at least one ofthe user device 1-2C and the user device 1-2A after scouting thegeographic region 1-3 in accordance with the updated prescription 1along drive path 2.

Having received the further data 1, the application unit 16 modifies theagricultural prescription 1 to produce a further updated prescription 1for the group of geographic regions 1-1 through 1-3 based on the furtherdata 1 and the prescription 1. Having produced the further updatedprescription 1, the application unit 16 sends the further updatedprescription 1 to the user device 1-1A for execution within thegeographic regions 1-1 through 1-3.

FIG. 18B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a scoutingagricultural prescription. The method begins or continues at step 340where a processing module (e.g., of an application unit) obtains datarecords for one or more sub-geographic regions while an agriculturalprescription is being executed. The data records include one or more ofsensor data and historical summaries associated with the one or moresub-geographic regions. Such historical summaries may include one ormore of a percentage of weeds killed, number of weeds killed, and timingof one or more growth stages for desired crops. The obtaining includesat least one of receiving the data records from one or more resourcesand acquiring from a storage unit.

The method continues at step 342 where the processing module identifiesa group of sub-geographic regions associated with similar traits. As aspecific example, the processing module determines traits of thesub-geographic regions based on the data records and identifiessub-geographic regions associated with common traits where trait valuesof the common traits compare favorably to each other (e.g., within atrait threshold level).

The method continues at step 344 where the processing module selects onesub-geographic region of the group of sub-geographic regions for furtherdata collection. For example, the processing module identifies traits ofa sub-geographic region that compares favorably to trait values of thegroup of sub-geographic regions.

The method continues at step 346 where the processing module facilitatescollection of the further data from the selected sub-geographic region.As a specific example, the processing module issues an updatedprescription that includes one or more execution steps to collectfurther data from a primary user device and/or another user deviceassociated with the selected sub-geographic region, and receives thefurther data. As another specific example, the processing moduleretrieves the further data from a storage unit.

The method continues at step 348 where the processing module modifiesthe agricultural prescription for the group of sub-geographic regions toproduce a further update a prescription based on the further datacollected from the selected sub-geographic region. For example, theprocessing module determines changes to a plurality of steps associatedwith the agricultural prescription that, when executed, provide optimalresults based on the further data. The method continues at step 350where the processing module facilitates execution of the further updatedprescription. For example, the processing module sends the furtherupdated prescription to one or more user devices associated with thegroup of sub-geographic regions for execution.

FIG. 19A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the user device 1-1A of FIG. 1, thesensors set 1A of FIG. 17A, the actuator set 1A of FIG. 13A, the userdevice 1-1C of FIG. 1, the geographic regions 1-1 through 1-9 ofgeographic region 1 of FIG. 3, the wireless communication network 1 ofFIG. 1, the network of FIG. 1, the user device 14 of FIG. 5, theapplication unit 16 of FIG. 5, the storage unit 36 of FIG. 5, and aweather forecast unit 358. The computing system may further include auser device 1-1B to provide communication and processing of informationbetween the user device 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in a similarfashion as user device 2-1B provides processing and communicationbetween user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A. The user device 1-1Atraverses a drive path within the geographic regions 1-1 through 1-9 inaccordance with an agricultural prescription 1. The weather forecastunit 358 includes one or more of a National Weather Service informationserver, a micro-cast information server, and a local weather computer.

The computing system is operable to generate an updated agriculturalprescription based on forecasted weather conditions. In an example ofoperation of the generating of the updated agricultural prescription,the application unit obtains associated data records 1 for anagricultural prescription 1 for a plurality of geographic regions. Forexample, the application unit receives data records 1 that includessensor data 1 received from via user device 1-1C from the user device1-1A as the user device 1-1A executes the prescription 1 along a drivepath. The data records may include one or more of current speed, currentlocation, and un-executed prescription steps. For example, the userdevice 1-1A send sensor data 1 to the storage unit 36 for storage inmemory 58 for geographic region 1-2 when the user device 1-1A iscurrently operating within the geographic region 1-2 and collecting datavia the sensors set 1A. Alternatively, or in addition to, other userdevices may operate within the plurality of geographic regions and sendfurther sensor data to the storage unit 36 providing further datarecords 1 to the application unit 16.

Having obtained the data records 1, the application unit 16 identifies aresource executing steps of the agricultural prescription 1 based on oneor more of guidance 72 from the user device 14 and the data records 1.For example, the application unit 16 identifies the user device 1-1Abased on the sensor data 1 from the user device 1-1A that includesidentity of the user device 1-1A. Having identified the resourceexecuting the steps, the application unit 16 obtains weather data 1 forthe plurality of geographic regions. For example, the application unit16 receives further data records 1, where the application unit 16receives a further data records 1 from the storage unit 36, where thestorage unit 36 receives weather data 1, via the network 24, from theweather forecast unit 358. In an instance, the weather data 1 includes amicro forecast for each of the geographic regions 1-1 through 1-9.

Having obtained the weather data 1, the application unit 16 identifiespending un-executed steps of the agricultural prescription 1 associatedwith one or more geographic regions associated with unfavorable weatherdata. The identifying includes detecting the unfavorable weather datafrom the weather data 1 and correlating the unfavorable weather datawith one or more of the geographic regions (e.g., by location and time).As a specific example, the application unit identifies geographicregions 1-6, 1-8, and 1-9 associated with the unfavorable weather datain the next 15 minutes and identifies steps of the agriculturalprescription 1 to collect sensor data within the identified geographicregions 1-6, 1-8, and 1-9.

Having identified the pending steps associated with the unfavorableweather, the application unit 16 modifies the agricultural prescription1 regarding the pending steps to produce an updated agriculturalprescription 1, where the update includes one or more of a change isspeed, and updated right path to avoid the one or more geographicregions with the unfavorable weather data, and a suspension of one ormore execution steps. As a specific example, the application unitmodifies the prescription 1 to suspend steps associated with geographicregions 1-3, 1-6, 1-8, and 1-9, while updating the drive path and speedto move from geographic region 1-2 to geographic regions 1-5, 1-4, and1-7 to perform un-executed steps associated with the geographic regions1-2, 1-5, 1-4, and 1-7.

Having modified the agricultural prescription 1 to produce the updatedagricultural prescription 1, the application unit 16 sends, via thenetwork 24 and the wireless communication network 1 using wirelesscommunication signals 42, the updated prescription 1 to the user device1-1A for immediate execution to avoid the predicted unfavorable weather.

FIG. 19B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating an updatedagricultural prescription based on forecasted weather conditions. Themethod begins or continues at step 360 where a processing module (e.g.,of an application unit) obtains data records associated with anagricultural prescription for a plurality of sub-geographic regions. Asa specific example, the processing module recovers the data records froma storage unit. As another example, the processing module receivessensor data from a resource executing steps of the agriculturalprescription within at least one of the plurality of sub-geographicregions.

The method continues at step 362 where the processing module identifiesa resource executing steps of the agricultural prescription based on thedata records. For example, the processing module interprets the datarecords to identify a resource associated with current execution of theagricultural prescription as the identified resource.

The method continues at step 364 where the processing module obtainsweather data for the plurality of sub-geographic regions. As a specificexample, the processing module determines an identity of the pluralityof sub-geographic regions and receives the weather data based on theidentity of the plurality of sub-geographic regions.

The method continues at step 366 where the processing module identifiespending steps of the agricultural prescription associated with one ormore sub-geographic regions with unfavorable weather data. As a specificexample, the processing module identifies one or more areas associatedwith an unfavorable weather forecast (e.g., rain, high winds, conditionsunfavorable for execution of steps of the agricultural prescription,etc.) and interprets the agricultural prescription to identify thepending steps associated with the one or more identified areas.

The method continues at step 368 where the processing module modifiesthe agricultural prescription with regards to the one or more pendingsteps to produce an updated agricultural prescription. The processingmodule performs the update to include one or more of changing speed of acurrent product path, generating an updated drive path to avoid the oneor more areas associated with the unfavorable weather forecast whileexecuting steps in areas associated with the favorable weather forecast.

The method continues at step 370 where the processing module facilitatesexecution of the updated agricultural prescription by the resource. As aspecific example, the processing module sends the updated agriculturalprescription to the resource for execution of steps associated with theupdated agricultural prescription. Alternatively, or in addition to, theprocessing module sends the updated agricultural prescription as analert to the user device and/or to other user devices associateddirectly with the plurality of sub-geographic regions.

The sending of an updated agricultural prescription may include sendingthe agricultural prescription to one or more user devices associatedwith a common geographic region to facilitate one or more of executionof steps associated with the updated agricultural prescription, based onawareness of assignments of the one or more execution steps to specificuser devices, and awareness of a condition and/or status of previousexecution of steps of the agricultural prescription and/or status of anyattribute associated with the common geographic region.

FIG. 20A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a userdevice that includes the controller area network (CAN) bus interface 110of FIG. 12B, the computing unit 26 of FIG. 5, and the Bluetooth wirelesslocation modem 1 of FIG. 12B. Alternatively, at least one of a Wi-Fiindication modem, a 60 GHz communication modem, an infraredcommunication modem, any other wireless connectivity wirelesscommunication modem, and a wireline interface (e.g., a universal serialbus (USB) interface) may be utilized in lieu of the Bluetooth wirelesscommunication modem 1. The computing unit 26 includes the applicationprocessing module 34 of FIG. 5 and the memory 58 of FIG. 5.Alternatively, or in addition to, the user device 2-1B may include anon-board diagnostics (OBD) interface.

The user device 2-1B is operable to facilitate the collecting of data(e.g., sensor data, location data, time data) to generate anagricultural prescription. In an example of operation of thefacilitating of the collecting of the data to generate the agriculturalprescription, the Bluetooth wireless communication modem 1 interpretsBluetooth wireless communication signals 116 from the user device 2-1Cto produce wireless messages 1, where the wireless messages 1 have beenencoded with one or more agricultural prescriptions. The applicationprocessing module 34 extracts the one or more prescriptions from thewireless messages 1 and stores the one or more prescriptions in thememory 58.

Having received the one or more prescriptions, the CAN bus interface 110receives CAN data 114 from the user device 2-1A to produce interfaceinformation 40. The application processing module 34 interprets theinterface information 40 to produce raw sensor data sets. For example,the application processing module 34 decodes the interface information40 in accordance with a CAN industry standard to produce the raw sensordata sets.

Having produced the raw sensor data sets, the application processingmodule 34 obtains location information 1 from the user device 2-1A. Thelocation information 1 includes one or more of coordinated universaltime (UTC) and GPS coordinates, where the user device 2-1A receives GPSwireless location signals 1 and generates the location information 1based on the received GPS wireless location signals 1. As a specificexample, at least one of the CAN bus interface 110 and the computingunit 26 receives the location information 1 from the user device 2-1A.As another specific example, the CAN bus interface 110 receives furtherCAN data 114 that includes the location information 1 and interprets thefurther CAN data 114 to produce further interface information 40 thatincludes the location information 1. The user device 2-1A utilizes atleast one of extracted UTC and local time associated with at least oneof the user device 2-1A and the user device 2-1C to facilitateassociating of sensor data with GPS coordinates and timestamps.

Having received the location information 1, the application processingmodule receives location information 2 from the user device 2-1C. As aspecific example, the application processing module 34 interpretsfurther wireless messages 1 that includes the location information 2,where the Bluetooth wireless communication modem 1 receives furtherBluetooth wireless communication signals 116 that includes the locationinformation 2 from the user device 2-1C, and where the user device 2-1Creceives GPS wireless location signals 2 and generates the locationinformation 2 based on the received GPS wireless location signals 2.

As another specific example of receiving the location information 2, theapplication processing module 34 receives the location information 2from the Bluetooth wireless communication modem 1, where the Bluetoothwireless communication modem 1 receives the further Bluetooth wirelesscommunication signals 116 from the user device 2-1C, where the furtherBluetooth wireless communication signals 116 includes the locationinformation 2.

Having received the location information 1 and 2, the applicationprocessing module 34 generates error information associated with thelocation information 1 and 2 and selects at least one of the locationinformation 1 and 2 based on the error information to produce locationinformation. The selecting of the at least one of the locationinformation 1 and 2 is discussed in greater detail with reference toFIG. 20B.

Having produced the location information, the application processingmodule 34 associates the raw sensor data sets with the locationinformation to produce location enabled sensor data sets. For example,the application processing module tags sensor data with correspondingUTC and GPS location coordinates of time of receipt to produce thelocation enabled sensor data sets. Having produced the location enabledsensor data sets, the application processing module 34 stores thelocation enabled sensor data sets in the memory 58.

The application processing module 34 identifies at least oneprescription of the one or more prescriptions associated with thelocation information. For example, the application processing module 34identifies a geographic location area associated with the prescriptionthat is substantially the same as the obtained location information.Having identified the prescription, the application processing module 34associates the identified prescription with the location enabled sensordata sets to produce prescription based location enabled sensor datasets. For example, the application processing module 34 tags thelocation enabled sensor data sets with an identifier of the identifiedprescription to produce the prescription based location enabled sensordata sets.

Having produced the prescription based location enabled sensor datasets, the application processing module 34 may perform a filteringfunction on the prescription based location enabled sensor data sets inaccordance with a filter identifier of the identified prescription toproduce sensor data sets. For example, the application processing module34 discards one or more portions of sensor data and not associated withthe prescription. Alternatively, the application processing module 34applies a null filter to prevent discarding any sensor data.

The application processing module 34 generates still further wirelessmessages 1 based on the sensor data sets. Having produced the stillfurther wireless messages 1, the application processing module 34 sendsthe still further wireless messages 1 to the Bluetooth wirelesscommunication modem 1 for transmission to the user device 2-1C forretransmission via fourth-generation (4G) wireless communication signals118 to a storage unit for storage and subsequent processing to produceat least one of an updated agricultural prescription and a newagricultural prescription.

FIG. 20B is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of theapplication processing module 34 of FIG. 20A that includes a locationinformation error module 380, a location information switching module382, an interpretation module 384, and a storage module 386. Theapplication processing module 34 functions to generate error informationassociated with the location information 1 and 2 and selects at leastone of the location information 1 and 2 based on the error informationto produce location information for storage.

In an example of operation, the interpretation module 384 interprets theinterface information 40 to produce sensor data sets. As a specificexample, the interpretation module 384 decodes the interface information40 in accordance with an industry CAN standard to produce the raw sensordata sets 390. The location information error module 380 analyzes thelocation information 1 and 2 to generate generates error information 1,2. The analyzing includes one or more of detecting a signal dropout,estimating a location accuracy, comparing the location accuracy to oneor more accuracy threshold levels, identifying a number of receivedsatellites, generating a likelihood of spoofing level, and estimating atime accuracy. The analyzing may further include comparing a firstportion of location information 1 to another portion of locationinformation 2 and comparing the first portion of location information 1to a first portion of the location information 2.

The location information switching module 382 selects at least one ofthe location information 1 and location information 2 based on the errorinformation 1, 2 to produce location information 388 (e.g., compositelocation information as discussed with reference to FIG. 12B). Theselecting may be in accordance with a selection approach. The selectionapproach includes one or more of selecting an error free signal,selecting a signal with a lowest level of errors, selecting a signalwith a level of errors below a low error threshold level, selectingboth, selecting either, combining to produce a lower net error level,and interleaving.

The storage module 386 combines the location information 388 and the rawsensor data 390 to produce location enabled sensor data 392 for storagein the memory 58. As a specific example, the storage module 386 tags afirst portion of the raw sensor data with a first portion of thelocation information, where absolute timing information is substantiallythe same for the first portions.

FIG. 20C is a flowchart illustrating an example of opportunisticacquisition of location information enabling data collection to generatean agricultural prescription, that include similar steps to FIG. 12C.The method begins or continues with the steps 140-142 of FIG. 12C wherea processing module (e.g., an application processing module of a userdevice) obtains one or more agricultural prescriptions and interpretsreceived data to produce raw sensor data sets of a current geographicregion.

The method continues at step 410 where the processing module obtainslocation information of the current geographic region from two or moresources. For example, the processing module interprets the received datato extract the location information. As another example, the processingmodule receives further location information from another user device.

The method continues at 412 where the processing module determines errorinformation for the location information of each of the two or moresources. For example, the processing module analyzes the locationinformation to identify one or more error conditions (e.g., locationdropouts, unfavorable location accuracy, too few satellites, etc.).

The method continues at step 414 where the processing module processesthe location information of the two or more sources based on the errorinformation to produce location information. The processing includes atleast one of selecting and combining to provide a location accuracylevel greater than a minimum accuracy threshold level.

The method continues with steps 146-152 of FIG. 12C where the processingmodule associates the raw sensor data sets with the obtained locationinformation to produce location enabled sensor data sets, stores thelocation enabled sensor data sets in the local memory, identifies atleast one agricultural prescription associated with the locationinformation, and associates the identified agricultural prescriptionwith the location enabled sensor data sets to produce prescription basedlocation enabled sensor data sets. The method may further continue withsteps 154-156 of FIG. 12C where the processing module performs afiltering function on the prescription based location enabled sensordata sets in accordance with a filter identifier of the identifiedagricultural prescription to produce sensor data sets for the currentgeographic region and sends the sensor data sets to a storage unit forstorage and subsequent processing of the sensor data sets to produce atleast one of an updated prescription and a new prescription.

FIG. 21A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes associated user devices 1-1A, and 1-1C ofFIG. 1, a gyro sensor set 1A, and a tillage actuator set 1A, thegeographic region 1 of FIG. 1, the wireless communication network 1 ofFIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1, the user device 14 of FIG. 5, theapplication unit 16 of FIG. 5, the storage unit 36 of FIG. 5, and theweather forecast unit 358 of FIG. 19A. The computing system may furtherinclude a user device 1-1B to provide communication and processing ofinformation between the user device 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in asimilar fashion as user device 2-1B provides processing andcommunication between user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A. Thesensors include at least some of the sensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The userdevice 1-1A traverses portions of a drive path 1 within a geographicregion 1 in accordance with an agricultural prescription 1 at varioustimes 1, 2, etc. through time x.

The computing system is operable to generate a nitrogen applicationagricultural prescription. In an example of operation of generating thenitrogen application agricultural prescription, the applicationprocessing module 34 of the application unit 16 obtains data records 1for the geographic region 1, where the data records 1 includes sensordata 1 from the user device 1-1A collected at various times fromtransversals of the geographic region 1. The sensor data 1 includes oneor more of gyro data 1, tillage data 1, image data 1, and planter data1. The gyro data 1 includes one or more of gyroscope output data (e.g.,acceleration, velocity, distance, pitch, yaw, etc.) and locationinformation (e.g., GPS coordinates, timestamp information). The tillagedata 1 includes torque level data. The planter data 1 includes furthertorque level data. The image data 1 includes soil images.

The obtaining of the data records 1 includes at least one of receivingthe data records 1 from the storage unit 36 and interpreting receivedsensor data 1, where the application processing module 34 receives thesensor data 1 directly from the user device 1-1A. Having obtained thedata records 1, the application processing module 34 of the applicationunit 16 interprets the data records 1 to produce composite torque levelsbased on the tillage data and the planter data. For instance, theapplication processing module 34 produces a time stamped torque levelhistogram for each transversal.

Having produced the composite torque levels, the application processingmodule 34 of the application unit 16 interprets the data records 1 toproduce bare soil images based on the image data. For instance, theapplication processing module produces time stamped images along eachtransversal, where the time stamped images includes image of the soil ofthe geographic region along the drive path.

Having produced the bare soil images, the application processing module34 of the application unit 16 interprets the data records 1 to produce atopographic map for the geographic region 1. For example, theapplication processing module 34 interprets the gyroscope output andlocation information to produce linear elevation data along eachtransversal and aggregates the linear elevation data along thetransversals to produce the topographic map for the geographic region 1.Alternatively, the application processing module 34 of the applicationunit 16 receives the topographic map from the storage unit 36 and/orfrom another server. Further alternatively, the application processingmodule 34 of the application unit 16 utilizes location information fromthe user device 1-1A to produce the topographic map, where the GPScoordinates of the location information includes z direction informationfor elevation.

Having obtained the topographic map, the application processing module34 of the application unit 16 interprets weather data 1 to producerainfall data for the geographic region 1 (e.g., timing for amounts ofrain for one or more portions of the geographic region 1). As a specificexample, the application processing module 34 receives, via the network24, the weather data 1 from the weather forecast unit 358, where weatherdata 1 includes rainfall history for the geographic region 1.

Having produced the rainfall data, the application processing module 34of the application unit 16 analyzes the bare soil images and thecomposite torque levels to determine an amount of organic materialassociated with portions of the geographic region 1. As a specificexample, the application processing module 34 compares a series of baresoil images of a portion of the geographic region 1 to a plurality oftemplate soil images to identify a corresponding template image andcompares a series of composite torque levels of the portion of thegeographic region 1 to a plurality of template torque levels to identifya corresponding template torque level. Having identified the templateimage and template torque level for the portion, the applicationprocessing module 34 performs a lookup to determine the amount oforganic material for the portion based on the identified template imageand template torque level.

Having produced the amount of organic material associated with portionsof the geographic region 1, the application processing module of theapplication generates a nitrogen application prescription as an updatedprescription 1 based on one or more of guidance 72 from the user device14 (e.g., an instruction to produce the nitrogen applicationprescription), the amount of organic material associated with theportions, the topographic map, and the rainfall data. As a specificexample, the application processing module 34 determines a gradientalong the drive path 1 based on the topographic map and performs adeterministic function on the amount of organic material, the gradient,and the rainfall data to produce and intermediate result. Havingproduced the intermediate result, the application processing module 34performs a lookup using the intermediate result to produce an amount ofnitrogen to apply to a portion corresponding to the gradient.

Having produced the updated prescription 1, the application processingmodule 34 of the application unit 16 facilitates execution of theupdated prescription 1. As a specific example, the applicationprocessing module 34 of the application unit 16 sends, via the network24, the updated prescription 1 to the user device 14 and via thewireless communication network 1 using the wireless communicationsignals 42 to the user device 1-1C such that at time x the user device1-1A issues control information to the nitrogen actuator set 1A, wherethe nitrogen actuator set 1A applies the amount of nitrogen along thedrive path 1 in accordance with the updated prescription 1.

FIG. 21B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a nitrogenapplication agricultural prescription. The method begins or continues atstep 440 where a processing module (e.g., of an application processingmodule of an application unit) obtains associated data records for aplurality of transfer cells of a geographic region associated with anagricultural prescription. For example, the processing module receivesthe data records directly from a user device. As another example, theprocessing module receives the data records from a storage unit. Thedata records include one or more of image data, tillage data, planterdata, gyro data, and location information.

The method continues at step 442 where the processing module interpretsthe data records to produce torque levels based on tillage data andplanter data. For example, the processing module interprets one or moreof the tillage data and the planter data to produce torque levelsassociated with portions of the geographic region. The method continuesat step 444 where the processing module interprets the data records toproduce bare soil images based on image data. For example, theprocessing module extracts bare soil images from the image data.

The method continues at step 446 where the processing module obtains atopographic map for the geographic region. As a specific example, theprocessing module recovers the topographic map from the storage unit. Asanother specific example, the processing module generates thetopographic map based on the gyro data and the location information. Themethod continues at step 448 for the processing module interpretsweather data to produce rainfall data for the geographic region. As aspecific example, the processing module extracts historical rainfalllevels and timing of rainfall to produce the rainfall data.

The method continues at step 450 where the processing module analyzesthe bare soil images and the torque levels to determine an amount oforganic material associated with a portion of the geographic region. Asa specific example, the processing module compares the bare soil imageswith reference bare soil images to identify a substantially similarreference bare soil image and performs a lookup to determine an organicmaterial level associated with the identified reference bare soil image.As another specific example, the processing module compares the torquelevels with reference torque levels to identify a substantially similarreference torque level and performs a lookup of an organic materiallevel associated with the identified reference torque level.

The method continues at step 452 where the processing module generates anitrogen application prescription as an updated prescription based onone or more of the amount of organic material, the topographic map, andthe rainfall data. As a specific example, the processing module appliesa deterministic function to the amount of organic material, topographiccharacteristics for a given portion of the geographic region from thetopographic map, and the rainfall data to produce and intermediateresult. The processing module accesses a nitrogen prescription tableutilizing the intermediate result to recover a nitrogen levelprescription for the given portion of the geographic region.

The method continues at step 454 where the processing module facilitatesexecution of the updated prescription. As a specific example, theprocessing module sends the updated prescription to a user device toimplement steps of the updated prescription with regards to the nitrogenprescription.

FIG. 22A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes associated user devices 1-1A, and 1-1C ofFIG. 1, the sensors set 1A of FIG. 17A, the tillage actuator set 1A ofFIG. 21A, the combine actuator set 1A of FIG. 14A, the geographic region1 of FIG. 1, the wireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network24 of FIG. 1, the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 ofFIG. 5, the storage unit 36 of FIG. 5, and the weather forecast unit 358of FIG. 19A. The computing system may further include a user device 1-1Bto provide communication and processing of information between the userdevice 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in a similar fashion as user device2-1B provides processing and communication between user devices 2-1C and2-1A of FIG. 12A. The sensors include at least some of the sensors 1-7of FIG. 7. The user device 1-1A traverses portions of a drive path 1within a geographic region 1 in accordance with an agriculturalprescription 1 at various times 1, 2, etc. through time x.

The computing system is operable to generate a harvest agriculturalprescription. In an example of the generating of the harvestagricultural prescription, the application processing module 34 of theapplication unit 16 obtains data records 1 for the geographic region 1,where the data records 1 includes sensor data 1 from the user device1-1A collected at various times from transversals of the geographicregion 1. The sensor data 1 includes one or more of timestampedtemperature levels, timestamped soil moisture levels, and time stampedsoil nutrient levels.

The obtaining of the data records 1 includes at least one of receivingthe data records 1 from the storage unit 36 and interpreting receivedsensor data 1, where the application processing module 34 receives thesensor data 1 directly from the user device 1-1A. Having obtained thedata records 1, the application processing module 34 of the applicationunit 16 obtains a unit of time (e.g., an hour, a minute) for anagricultural lifecycle, where a plurality of units of time range from afirst unit of time to a present unit of time. The first unit of timecorresponds to an initial planting of a crop. The present unit of timemay refer to an intermediate time after planting but before harvesting.A future unit of time includes a time of harvesting.

The obtaining of the unit of time includes at least one of selectingbased on a predetermination (e.g., from the agriculture prescription 1),and determining that an expected variance level of growth factors isexpected to be less than a variance threshold level. For each unit oftime, the application processing module 34 of the application unit 16determines values of a set of growth factors based on one or more of thedata records 1 and weather data 1. The weather data 1 includes one ormore of sunlight intensity level per unit time, temperature level perunit of time, and rainfall history for the geographic region 1. Theapplication processing module 34 extracts the weather data 1 one fromthe data records 1. Alternatively, the application processing module 34receives, via the network 24, the weather data 1 directly from theweather forecast unit 358.

The growth factors include one or more of a sunlight intensity level, atemperature level, a soil moisture level, and a soil nutrient level. Forexample, the application processing module interprets the data records 1to produce the soil moisture level and the soil nutrient level. Asanother example, the application processing module 34 interprets obtainsthe weather data 1 and interprets the weather data 1 to producehistorical weather information (e.g., temperature per unit of time,sunlight intensity level per unit of time based on one or more of cloudcover and hours of sunlight based on the day of year for the geographicregion 1).

For each unit of time, the application processing module 34 of theapplication unit 16 applies a deterministic function to the set ofgrowth factors to produce a corresponding predictive growth unit (PGU).As a specific example, the application processing module generates thePGU in accordance with a formula:

PGU=a*sunlight level+b*temp+c*moisture level temperaturelevel+d*nutrient

where a, b, c, and d are constants associated with the set of growthfactors. The application processing module 34 of the application unit 16sums each corresponding PGU for the units of time from the first unit oftime to the present unit of time to produce a current accumulatedpredictive growth metric (PGM). As a specific example, the applicationprocessing module generates the PGM in accordance with a formula:

PGM=PGU1+PGU2+PGU3+through PGUcurrent unit of time

The application processing module 34 of the application unit 16estimates a harvest ready unit of time based on one or more of a portionof the predictive growth units for at least some of the previous unitsof time (e.g., a trend), predictive values of growth factors for futureunits of time (e.g., based on history), and guidance 72 from the userdevice 14. As a specific example, the application processing module 34estimates the harvest ready unit of time to be 10 days from the currentunit of time when the PGM value is 2,457, a desired PGM harvest value is3100, and an expected trend for the PGM is to move from 2,457 to 3,100and 10 days based on historical data.

Having estimated a harvest timeframe based on the harvest ready unit oftime, the application processing module 34 of the application unit 16generates an updated prescription 1 based on the prescription 1 and theestimated harvest timeframe, such that the updated prescription 1includes harvest execution steps in 10 days. Having generated theupdated prescription 1, the application processing module 34 of theapplication unit 16 sends, via the network 24, the updated prescription1 to the user device 14 and further sends, via the wirelesscommunication network 1 using wireless communication signals 42, theupdated prescription 1 to the user device 1-1A such that the user device1-1A issues control information to the combine actuator set 1A inaccordance with a harvest prescription 1 portion of the updatedprescription 1.

FIG. 22B is a flowchart illustrating an example of generating a harvestagricultural prescription. The method begins or continues at step 470where a processing module (e.g., of an application processing module ofan application unit) obtains associated data records for a plurality oftraversals of a geographic region associated with an agriculturalprescription. The obtaining includes at least one of receiving the datarecords directly from the user device and recovering the data recordsfrom a storage unit. The data records includes one or more of timestamped temperature levels, time stamped soil moisture levels, timestamped soil nutrient levels, and location information for each of thetimes and values.

The method continues at step 472 where the processing module determinesa unit of time for an agricultural lifecycle associated with theagricultural prescription. The determining may be based on one or moreof a predetermination and a unit of time such that an expected variancelevel of growth factors is less than a variance threshold level.

For each unit of time of the agricultural lifecycle, the methodcontinues at step 474 where the processing module determines values of aset of growth factors based on one or more of the data records andweather data. The determining includes interpreting the data records toproduce one or more of a soil moisture level and a soil nutrient level.The determining may further include interpreting the weather data toproduce a temperature per unit of time and a sunlight intensity levelper unit of time.

For each unit of time, the method continues at step 476 where theprocessing module applies a deterministic function to the set of growthfactors to produce a corresponding predictive growth unit. As a specificexample, the processing module selects the deterministic function basedon one or more of a predetermination, location information associatedwith the geographic region, a time of year, and an expected accuracylevel. The processing module utilizes the selected deterministicfunction to manipulate the growth factors producing the predictivegrowth unit, where the deterministic function may include a combinationof constants and deterministic mathematical functions.

The method continues at step 478 where the processing module sums eachpredictive growth unit to produce a current accumulated predictivegrowth metric. As a specific example, the processing module adds valuesfor a predictive growth units associated with units of time 1 through acurrent unit of time to produce the current accumulated predictivegrowth metric.

The method continues at step 480 where the processing module estimates aharvest ready timeframe based on one or more of a portion of thepredictive growth units for at least some of the previous units of timeand predictive values of growth factors for future units of time. As aspecific example, the processing module interprets a trend from theportion of the predicted growth units and extends the trend based on thepredicted values of growth factors for future units of time based oninterpreting historical summaries. Alternatively, or in addition to, theprocessing module generates an updated agricultural prescription basedon the agricultural prescription and the harvest ready timeframe andsends the updated agricultural prescription to a user device forexecution, where the updated agricultural prescription includes harvestexecution steps associated with the harvest ready timeframe.

FIG. 23A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes a harvestapparatus set 490 and user device 1-1C of FIG. 1. The harvest apparatusset 490 includes the user device 1-1A of FIG. 1, a sensors set 1A, aharvest actuator set 1A, and an auxiliary resource 1A. The geographicregion 1 may further include a user device 1-1B to provide one or moreof communication, processing, and discovery of other like proximal userdevices, where the communication includes transfer of informationbetween the user device 1-1C and the user device 1-1A in a similarfashion as user device 2-1B provides processing and communicationbetween user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A.

The user device 1-1A includes the application processing module 34 ofFIG. 4 and the wireless communication modem 1 of FIG. 4. The sensors set1A include at least some of the sensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The harvestactuator set 1A includes one or more actuators associated with at leastone of a combine and any crop harvesting machine. The auxiliary resource1A includes any other agricultural resource that may be associated withthe harvest apparatus set such as one or more of a grain cart, a harvestcrop wagon, a fertilizer transporter, a water transporter, etc. The userdevice 1-1A traverses portions of a drive path 1 within the geographicregion 1 in accordance with an agricultural prescription 1.

The computing system is operable to determine crop harvesting yield. Inan example of operation of the determining of the crop harvesting yield,the application unit 16 (e.g., the application processing module 34 ofthe application unit 16) obtains data records 1 for the geographicregion 1 where the agricultural prescription 1 is being executed by theharvest apparatus set 490, and where the application unit generates theagricultural prescription 1 based on guidance 72 from the device 14(e.g., a primary user device). The obtaining includes at least one ofreceiving sensor data 1 from the harvest apparatus set 490 and receivingthe data records 1 from the storage unit 36. For example, the userdevice 1-1C sends the sensor data 1, transmitting wireless communicationsignals 42 via the wireless location network 1, and via the network 24,to the storage unit 36 for storage in the memory 58 where the storageunit 36 aggregates the sensor data 1 and historical summaries (e.g.,similar previously stored sensor data for the geographic region 1) toproduce the data records 1, and where the storage unit 36 sends the datarecords 1, via the network 24, to the application unit 16.

The sensor data 1 includes one or more of moisture data 1 (e.g., amoisture level for each of a plurality of locations), unloading augerdata 1 (e.g., location information associated with auger activation,time duration of auger activation, auger revolutions per minute (RPM),estimated number of wet bushels unloaded per unit of time), andauxiliary data 1 (e.g., an auxiliary resource identifier, an auxiliaryresource weight and timestamp). The data records 1 includes one or moreof the unloading auger data, the moisture data, the auxiliary data, andhistorical summaries (e.g., a calibration of previous augur data andactual crop yield data).

Having obtained the data records 1, the application unit 16 generatesintermediate estimated yield data based on one or more of the datarecords 1 and guidance 72 from the user device 14 (e.g., desired yielddata type, desired yield data units, etc.). For example, the applicationunit 16 determines an estimated number of wet bushels harvested per acrebased on one or more of an amount of auger time of the unloading augerdata and gross weight of a crop wagon extracted from the auxiliary data.

Having generated the intermediate estimated yield data, the applicationunit 16 generates yield data 1 (e.g., bushels of crops per acre) basedon the intermediate estimated yield data and one or more of the moisturedata and the historical summaries. For example, the application unit 16extracts the calibration from the historical summaries and utilizes themoisture data to update the estimated wet bushels to determine the yielddata 1 based on the updated estimated wet bushels and the historicalsummaries for resulting non-wet bushels.

Having generated the yield data 1, the application unit 16 sends theyield data 1 to one or more of a primary user device (e.g., user device14) and the harvest apparatus set 490. For example, the application unitsends, via the network 24 and the wireless communication network 1, theyield data 1 to the user device 1-1C for transfer to the harvestapparatus set 490 for further processing and/or visualization by atleast one of the user device 1-1A and the user device 1-1C. Forinstance, the user device 1-1C displays a map of the geographic region 1where the map overlays the yield data (e.g., varying colors representvarying levels of yield).

Having issued the yield data, the application unit 16 updates theagricultural prescription based on the yield data to produce anotheragricultural prescription 1 (e.g., an updated agricultural prescription1), where the updated agricultural prescription 1 includes modificationsto steps of the agricultural prescription to optimize harvesting basedon the yield data. For instance, the modifications to the steps includeupdated control information for the harvest actuator set 1A. Havingupdated the agricultural prescription, the application unit sends, viathe network and the wireless communication network 1, the updatedagricultural prescription to one or more of the harvest apparatus setand the primary user device.

FIG. 23B is a flowchart illustrating an example of determining cropharvesting yield. The method begins or continues at step 500 where aprocessing module (e.g., an application processing module of at leastone of an application unit and a user device), for an agriculturalprescription of a geographic region, obtains data records associatedwith harvesting steps of the agricultural prescription, where the datarecords includes unloading auger data as a result of a harvesting step.The obtaining includes at least one of receiving the data recordsdirectly from a user device and recovering the data records from astorage unit. The data records include one or more of unloading augerdata, moisture data, auxiliary data, and historical summaries.

The method continues at step 502 where the processing module generatesintermediate estimated yield data based on the data records. Forexample, the processing module, for a given portion of the geographicregion, multiplies a number of seconds of unloading auger activationtime by a number of wet bushels per second factor to generate theintermediate estimated yield data. The factor may be verified based onthe auxiliary data that includes gross weight changes of harvested cropsfor the given portion of the geographic region.

The method continues at step 504 where the processing module generatesyield data based on the intermediate estimated yield data and one ormore of moisture data and historical summaries. For example, theprocessing module, for the given portion of the geographic region,extracts a calibration from the historical summaries and multiplies thecalibration by the number of wet bushels to produce the yield the dataof non-wet bushels per acre.

The method continues at step 506 where the processing module sends theyield data to one or more of a primary user device and a user deviceassociated with the harvesting steps. For example, the processing modulesends the yield data to a user device associated with the harvestingsteps for operator display.

The method continues at step 508 where the processing module updates theagricultural prescription based on the yield data to produce an updatedagricultural prescription. For example, the processing module analyzesthe yield data to update one or more steps of the agriculturalprescription to favorably improve the yield data for subsequentdeterminations. The method continues at step 510 where the processingmodule facilitates execution of the updated agricultural prescription.For example, the processing module sends the updated prescription to auser device associated with execution of one or more agriculturalprescriptions within the geographic region.

FIG. 24A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes harvestapparatus sets 1-2 and user device 1-1C and 1-2C of FIG. 1. Each harvestapparatus set includes the user device 1-1A or 1-2A of FIG. 1, a sensorsset 1A or 2A, a harvest actuator set 1A or 2A, and an auxiliary resource1A or 2A. The geographic region 1 may further include a user device 1-1Band/or 1-2B to provide one or more of communication, processing, anddiscovery of other like proximal user devices, where the communicationincludes transfer of information between the user device 1-1C and theuser device 1-1A over the user device 1-2C and the user device 1-2A in asimilar fashion as user device 2-1B provides processing andcommunication between user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A.

The user devices 1-1A and 1-2A includes the application processingmodule 34 of FIG. 4 and the wireless communication modem 1 of FIG. 4.The sensors sets 1A and 2A include at least some of the sensors 1-7 ofFIG. 7. The harvest actuator sets 1A and 2A includes one or moreactuators associated with at least one of a combine and any cropharvesting machine. The auxiliary resources 1A and 2A includes any otheragricultural resource that may be associated with the harvest apparatusset such as one or more of a grain cart, a harvest crop wagon, afertilizer transporter, a water transporter, etc. The user device 1-1Atraverses portions of a drive path 1 within the geographic region 1 inaccordance with an agricultural prescription 1 and the user device 1-2Atraverses portions of a drive path 2 within the geographic region 1 inaccordance with an agricultural prescription 2.

The computing system is operable to optimize crop harvesting yield. Inan example of operation of the optimizing of the crop harvesting yield,the application unit 16 (e.g., the application processing module 34 ofthe application unit 16) obtains harvest data records for a geographicregion where one or more agricultural prescriptions are being executedby a plurality of harvest apparatus sets, and where the application unit16 generates the one or more agricultural prescriptions (e.g.,agricultural prescriptions 1-2) based on guidance 72 from the userdevice 14 (e.g., a primary user device). The obtaining includes at leastone of receiving the harvest data records from the harvest apparatussets 1-2 and receiving the harvest data records from the storage unit36. For example, the user device 1-1C sends harvest sensor data 1,transmitting wireless communication signals 42 via the wireless locationnetwork 1, and via the network 24, to the storage unit 36 for storage inthe memory 58 where the storage unit 36 aggregates the harvest data 1,harvest data 2 (e.g., from the harvest apparatus set 2) and thehistorical summaries (e.g., similar previously stored sensor data forthe geographic region 1) to produce data records 1, 2, and where thestorage unit 36 sends the data records 1, 2 via the network 24, to theapplication unit 16.

The harvest data includes one or more of moisture data (e.g., a moisturelevel for each of a plurality of locations), unloading auger data (e.g.,location information associated with auger activation, time duration ofauger activation, auger revolutions per minute (RPM), estimated numberof wet bushels unloaded per unit of time), and auxiliary data (e.g., anauxiliary resource identifier, an auxiliary resource weight andtimestamp). The data records 1, 2 includes one or more of the unloadingauger data, the moisture data, the auxiliary data, and historicalsummaries (e.g., a calibration of previous augur data and actual cropyield data).

Having obtained the data records 1, 2, the application unit 16generates, for each harvest apparatus set, yield data based on the datarecords 1, 2. For example, the application unit 16 determines anestimated wet bushels harvested per acre based on one or more of anamount of auger time of the unloading auger data 1 and gross weight of acrop wagon (e.g., aux resource 1A) extracted from auxiliary data 1 andgenerates non-wet bushels per acre harvested as yield data 1 based on acalibration for wet bushels harvested.

Having generated the yield data 1, 2, the application unit 16 sends, foreach harvest apparatus set, corresponding yield data to one or more ofthe primary user device 14 and the harvest apparatus set. For example,the application unit 16 sends, via the network 24 and the wirelesscommunication network 1, the yield data 1 to the user device 1-1C fortransfer to the harvest apparatus set 1 or further processing and/orvisualization by at least one of the user device 1-1A and the userdevice 1-1C. For instance, the user device 1-1A displays a map of thegeographic region 1 where the map overlays the yield data 1 (e.g.,varying colors represent varying levels of yield). Similarly, userdevice 1-2C displays the map of the geographic region 1 where the mapoverlays the yield data 2 having received the yield data 2 from theapplication unit.

Having sent the yield data, the application unit 16, for one or more ofthe agricultural prescriptions, updates the agricultural prescriptionbased on all yield data to produce another agricultural prescription(e.g., an updated agricultural prescription), where the updatedagricultural prescription includes modifications to steps of theagricultural prescription to optimize harvesting based on all of theyield data. For instance, the modifications to the steps of updatedprescriptions 1-2 includes updated control information for the harvestactuator sets 1A and 2A. Having updated the agricultural prescription,the application unit 16 sends, via the network 24 and the wirelesscommunication network 1, the updated agricultural prescriptions 1-2 tothe harvest apparatus sets 1-2 and the primary user device 14.

FIG. 24B is a flowchart illustrating an example of optimizing cropharvesting yield. The method begins or continues at step 520 where aprocessing module (e.g., an application processing module of at leastone of an application unit and a user device), for one or moreagricultural prescriptions of a geographic region, obtains harvest datarecords associated with harvesting steps executed by a plurality ofharvest apparatus sets. The obtaining includes at least one of receivingdirectly from a user device and recovering from a storage unit. Theharvest data records include one or more of unloading auger data,moisture data, auxiliary data, and historical summaries.

For each harvest apparatus set, the method continues at step 522 wherethe processing module generates corresponding yield data based onassociated harvest data records. For example, for a given portion of thegeographic region, the processing module multiplies a number of secondsof unloading auger activation by a number of wet bushels per secondfactor to estimate a number of wet bushels, and multiplies the number ofestimated wet bushels by a calibration from historical summaries toproduce non-wet bushels per acre harvested as the yield data.

For each harvest apparatus set, the method continues at step 524 wherethe processing module sends the corresponding yield data to one or moreof the harvest apparatus set and a primary user device. For example, theprocessing module sends the yield data to a user device associated withthe harvesting steps for operator display to facilitate optimizingoperation of the harvest apparatus set.

For one or more of the agricultural prescriptions, the method continuesat step 526 where the processing module updates the agriculturalprescription based on all yield the data to produce one or more updatedagricultural prescriptions. For example, the processing module comparesharvest steps and corresponding yield data to identify harvest stepsassociated with favorable yield data and modifies a correspondingagricultural prescription to include the harvest steps associated withthe favorable yield data. The method continues at step 528 where theprocessing module facilitates execution of any updated agriculturalprescription. For example, the processing module sends the updatedprescription to a user device to implement steps of the updatedprescription with regards to achieving improved yields.

FIG. 25A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes a harvestapparatus set 1 and user device 1-1C of FIG. 1. The harvest apparatusset 1 includes the user device 1-1A of FIG. 1, sensors set 1A of FIG.23A, the harvest actuator set 1A of FIG. 23A, and the auxiliary resource1A of FIG. 23A. The geographic region 1 may further include a userdevice 1-1B to provide one or more of communication, processing, anddiscovery of other like proximal user devices, where the communicationincludes transfer of information between the user device 1-1C and theuser device 1-1A in a similar fashion as user device 2-1B providesprocessing and communication between user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG.12A.

The user device 1-1A includes the application processing module 34 ofFIG. 4 and the wireless communication modem 1 of FIG. 4. The sensors set1A include at least some of the sensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The harvestactuator set 1A includes one or more actuators associated with at leastone of a combine and any crop harvesting machine. The auxiliary resource1A includes any other agricultural resource that may be associated withthe harvest apparatus set such as one or more of a grain cart, aharvested crop wagon, a fertilizer transporter, a water transporter,etc. The user device 1-1A traverses portions of a drive path 1_1 in atraversal direction within the geographic region 1 and traversesportions of a drive path 1_2 in an opposite traversal direction (e.g.,adjacent to and in parallel with right path 1_1 but traversed in theopposite traversal direction) in accordance with an agriculturalprescription 1.

The computing system is operable to improve accuracy of crop harvestingsensor data from the harvest apparatus set 1. In an example of operationof the improving of the accuracy of the crop harvesting sensor data, atleast one of the application unit 16 (e.g., the application processingmodule 34 of the application unit 16) and a user device (e.g., the userdevice 1-1A, the user device 1-1C) obtains harvest data records for atleast two adjacent traversals of a portion of the geographic region 1 bythe harvest apparatus set 1, where the harvest data records includes oneor more of, by each of the plurality of locations within the portion ofthe geographic region (e.g., as indicated by location information), cropflow rate, crop moisture data, the auxiliary data, historical summaries,and an accuracy estimate (e.g., a confidence interval for a particulardistance or time metric value). The historical summaries may include acalibration of previous auger data and actual yield data. For example,the application unit 16 receives data records 1 from the storage unit36, where the storage unit 36 aggregates received harvest data 1_1, 1_2(e.g., received via wireless communication signals 42 over the wirelesslocation network 1 and via the network 24), and historical summariesretrieved from the memory 58 to produce the data records 1, and wherethe harvest apparatus set 1 issues the harvest data 1_1 to the storageunit 36 for storage in the memory 58 and the harvest apparatus set 2issues the harvest data 1_2 to the storage unit 36.

Having obtained the harvest data records, the application unit 16updates the harvest data records to correct locations of sensor datameasurements based on one or more of the guidance 72 from user device 14and the harvest data records for the at least two adjacent traversals toproduce corrected harvest data records. For example, the applicationunit 16 determines a time and/or distance-based adjustment factor thataccounts for delays within harvesting equipment associated with theharvest actuator set and/or sensors set between a time of ingestion of acrop for harvesting and measuring of a particular metric of the harvestdata. For example, a measurement of crop flow rate may be delayed byfive seconds. As another example, a measurement of harvested cropmoisture levels may be delayed by as much as 10 seconds. The updating ofthe harvest data records to correct locations of sensor datameasurements is discussed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 25B.

Having produced the corrected harvest data records, the application unit16 generates calibration data 1 based on the adjustment factor of theupdating of the harvest data records. For example, the application unitdetermines a distance adjustment factor as the calibration data 1. Asanother example, the application unit determines a time adjustmentfactor as the calibration data 1. Having generated the calibration data1, the application unit sends the calibration data 1 to the harvestapparatus set 1 to facilitate obtaining of improve accuracy harvest datarecords.

FIG. 25B is a diagram illustrating an example of correcting sensor datawhere measured sensor data magnitude 540 for a traversal direction 546and an opposite traversal direction 548 is displayed by linear position542 (e.g., along the traversal). In an example of the correcting of thesensor data, a data point from each of two or more measured sensor data(e.g., crop flow level) is identified that maximizes a likelihood ofcorrelation to a common location area of a portion of a geographicregion. For example, identifying matching data points 1 and 2 of thetraversal direction curve and the opposite traversal direction curve.For each of the identified data points, associated positionscorresponding to locations of the measured sensor data are identified(e.g., at two distances along the linear position).

For each data point, an actual position is identified based on one ormore of the identified positions of the data points, linear velocity ofa sensor array measuring the sensor data while traversing the identifiedpositions, and a relative processing speed associated with ingestion ofa harvested crop (e.g., revolutions per minute (RPM) of a combine thatdraws the crop from the ground past one or more sensors such as aflowmeter and a moisture meter. For example, an actual position 1 isidentified as corresponding to the position 1 and an actual position 2is identified as corresponding to the position 2. In an instance, actualpositions 1 and 2 may be substantially a common position along thelinear position 542 when RPM levels and velocities associated with eachof the traversals are substantially the same.

Having identified the actual positions, a distance adjustment factor isdetermined for each traversal based on the identified actual positionand an associate identified data point. For example, the distanceadjustment factor associated with the opposite traversal direction is adifference between the actual position 1 and the position 1. Havingdetermined the distance adjustment factor, the measured sensor data isupdated for the portion of the geographic region based on the distanceadjustment factors to produce corrected sensor data magnitude 544, whereindicated linear positions correspond to actual positions rather thanpositions of the sensor array when the measurement was produced.

FIG. 25C is a flowchart illustrating an example of improving accuracy ofcrop harvesting sensor data. The method begins or continues at step 560where a processing module (e.g., an application processing module of atleast one of an application unit and a user device) obtains harvest datarecords for at least two adjacent traversals of a portion of ageographic region by a harvest apparatus set. The obtaining includes atleast one of receiving the harvest data directly from a user device ofthe harvest apparatus set and recovering the harvest data records from astorage unit. The harvest data records includes one or more of crop flowrate, crop moisture data, auxiliary data, and historical summaries.

The method continues at step 562 where the processing module identifiesdata points from the at least two adjacent traversals correlated to acommon location area. For example, the processing module identifies datapoints associated with uncorrected location information that is withinthe common location area with substantially the same sensor data. Foreach identified data point, the method continues at step 564 where theprocessing module identifies associated positions corresponding tolocations of measured sensor data. For example, the processing moduleextracts uncorrected location information associated with the measuredsensor data.

The method continues at step 566 where the processing module determinesan actual position of the common location area based on one or more ofthe identified positions of the data points, linear velocity of theharvest apparatus set, and a relative processing speed metric associatedwith ingestion of a harvested crop. The determining includes calculatingan actual position between two data points. For example, the processingmodule determines the position to be in the middle of two data pointswhen the velocities of opposite traversals are substantially the same.

The method continues at step 568 where the processing module determinesa distance adjustment factor based on the identified actual position ofthe common location area and an associated identified data point. Forexample, the processing module determines a distance from a data pointto the middle of the two data points when the velocities aresubstantially the same.

The method continues at step 570 where the processing module updates themeasured sensor data of the portion of the geographic region based onthe distance adjustment factor to produce corrected harvest datarecords. For example, the processing module adjusts the uncorrected thelocation information by the amount of the distance adjustment factor toproduce corrected location information of the corrected harvest datarecords.

The method continues at step 572 where the processing module generatescrop yield data based on the corrected harvest data records. Forexample, the processing module interprets the corrected harvest datarecords to produce the crop yield data. The method continues at step 574where the processing module generates calibration data based on thedistance adjustment factor. For example, the processing module includesthe distance adjustment factor in the calibration data. The methodcontinues at step 576 where the processing module sends the calibrationdata to the harvest apparatus set to facilitate obtaining of subsequentharvest data records that includes improved accuracy sensor data. Forexample, the processing module includes the calibration data andinstructions to utilize the calibration data to produce subsequentharvest data records with corrected location information and anindicator that the location information has been corrected.

FIG. 26A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes harvestapparatus sets 1-2 and user devices 1-1C and 1-2C of FIG. 1. Eachharvest apparatus set includes the user device 1-1A or 1-2A of FIG. 1,the sensors set 1A or 2A of FIG. 24A, the harvest actuator set 1A or 2Aof FIG. 24A, and the auxiliary resource 1A or 2A of FIG. 24A. Thegeographic region 1 may further include a user device 1-1B and/or 1-2Bto provide one or more of communication, processing, and discovery ofother like proximal user devices, where the communication includestransfer of information between the user device 1-1C and the user device1-1A over the user device 1-2C and the user device 1-2A in a similarfashion as user device 2-1B provides processing and communicationbetween user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A.

The user devices 1-1A and 1-2A includes the application processingmodule 34 of FIG. 4 and the wireless communication modem 1 of FIG. 4.The sensors sets 1A and 2A include at least some of the sensors 1-7 ofFIG. 7. The harvest actuator sets 1A and 2A includes one or moreactuators associated with at least one of a combine and any cropharvesting machine. The auxiliary resources 1A and 2A includes any otheragricultural resource that may be associated with the harvest apparatusset such as one or more of a grain cart, a harvest crop wagon, afertilizer transporter, a water transporter, etc. The user device 1-1Atraverses portions of a drive path 1 within the geographic region 1 inaccordance with a first agricultural prescription and the user device1-2A traverses portions of a drive path 2 within the geographic region 1in accordance with one or more of a second agricultural prescription andthe first agricultural prescription.

The computing system is operable to improve accuracy of crop yield data.In an example of operation of the improving of the accuracy of the cropyield data, the application processing module 34 of at least one of theapplication unit 16 and any user device obtains data records 1 forharvesting of a portion of the geographic region 1 by the harvestapparatus set 1. The harvesting may be carried out in accordance with aprescription based on guidance 72 from a primary user device (e.g., theuser device 14). The data records 1 includes sensor data 1 obtained byat least one of receiving the sensor data 1 from the harvest apparatusset 1 (e.g., via wireless communication signals 42 over the wirelesslocation network 1 and the network 24) and retrieving the sensor data 1from the memory of the storage unit. The sensor data 1 includes one ormore of a fuel flow rate, a combine revolutions per minute (RPM), acombine torque level, a combine velocity, a combine pitch, a combineyaw, a combine heading bearing, a combine roll, a combine altitude, anda terrain gradient.

Having obtained the data records 1 for the harvesting, the applicationunit 16 obtains yield data that corresponds to the data records. Theobtaining includes at least one of determining and retrieving. The yielddata includes at least one of an estimated crop yield level and anactual crop yield level. For example, the application unit 16 recoversthe actual crop yield data from the storage unit subsequent to thestorage unit receiving the crop yield data.

Having obtained the yield data, the application unit 16 determinescorrelation data 1 that associates the data records 1 to the yield datafor the portion of the geographic region. For example, the applicationunit 16 identifies an amount of crop yielded for levels of consumedfuel, applied torque, and average velocity to produce the correlationdata 1.

Having produced the correlation data 1, the application unit 16 sends,via the network 24 and the wireless communication network 1, thecorrelation data 1 to the harvest apparatus set 2, where the harvestapparatus set 2 generates harvest information 2 based on the sensor dataof the harvest apparatus set 2 and the correlation data 1. The harvestinformation 2 includes at least one of an estimated crop flow rate, acorrected crop flow rate, an estimated crop yield level (e.g., bushelsper acre), and a corrected crop yield level. For example, the userdevice 1-2A (e.g., or user device 1-2B, or user device 1-2C) applies acorrection function to the sensor data 2 in accordance with thecorrelation data 1 to produce the harvest information 2. Alternatively,or in addition to, the application unit 16 sends the correlation data 1to the harvest apparatus set 1 such that the harvest apparatus set 1applies the correction function to subsequently obtained sensor data 1in accordance with the correlation data 1 to produce harvest information1.

Having sent the correlation data 1 to the harvest apparatus set 2, theapplication unit 16 obtains the harvest information 2. The obtainingincludes at least one of receiving the harvest information 2 directlyfrom the harvest apparatus set 2 (e.g., via wireless communicationsignals 42 over the wireless communication network 1 and the network 24)and extracting the harvest information 2 from the data records 2retrieved from the storage unit 36.

FIG. 26B is a flowchart illustrating an example of improving accuracy ofcrop yield data. The method begins or continues at step 590 where aprocessing module (e.g., an application processing module of at leastone of an application unit and a user device), for an agriculturalprescription of a geographic region, obtains data records associatedwith harvesting of a portion of a geographic region by a first harvestapparatus set. The obtaining includes receiving the data recordsdirectly from the first harvest apparatus set and retrieving the datarecords from a storage unit. The data records includes sensor dataassociated with the harvesting including one or more of a fuel flowrate, an RPM, a torque level, a velocity level, a pitch level, a yawlevel, a bearing, a roll level, an altitude, a terrain gradient andhistorical summaries of previously collected data records associatedwith the portion of the geographic region.

The method continues at step 592 where the processing module obtainsyield data that corresponds to the data records. The yield data includesestimated and/or actual yield statistics with regards to a rate of cropsharvested as a function of area and/or linear distance (e.g., bushelsper acre, bushels per linear harvest distance). The obtaining includesat least one of determining, receiving, and retrieving from the storageunit.

The method continues at step 594 where the processing module determinescorrelation data that correlates the data records to the yield data forthe portion of the geographic region. For example, the processing modulesolves for a linear equation of factors of the data records that resultsin an acceptable estimation of the yield data, extracts coefficients ofthe linear equations, and generates the correlation data to include amodel of the linear equation that includes the extracted coefficients.

The method continues at step 596 where the processing module sends thecorrelation data to at least a second harvest apparatus set, where thesecond harvest apparatus set generates harvest information and/or yielddata based on sensor data of the second harvest apparatus set and thecorrelation data. For example, the second harvest apparatus set utilizesthe linear equation and extracted coefficients on the sensor data of thesecond harvest apparatus set to produce the yield information.

The method continues at step 598 where the processing module receivesthe harvest information from the second harvest apparatus set. Forexample, the second harvest apparatus set sends the harvest informationto one or more of an application unit, a storage unit, a primary userdevice, and one or more other of the harvest apparatus sets. The secondharvest apparatus set may further display the yield data to an operatorof the second harvest apparatus set to facilitate optimization ofsettings of one or more elements of the second harvest apparatus set toprovide further yield efficiencies.

FIG. 27A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes harvestapparatus sets 1-2 and user devices 1-1C and 1-2C of FIG. 1. Eachharvest apparatus set includes the user device 1-1A or 1-2A of FIG. 1,the sensors set 1A or 2A of FIG. 24A, the harvest actuator set 1A or 2Aof FIG. 24A, and the auxiliary resource 1A or 2A of FIG. 24A. Thegeographic region 1 may further include a user device 1-1B and/or 1-2Bto provide one or more of communication, processing, and discovery ofother like proximal user devices, where the communication includestransfer of information between the user device 1-1C and the user device1-1A over the user device 1-2C and the user device 1-2A in a similarfashion as user device 2-1B provides processing and communicationbetween user devices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A.

The user devices 1-1A and 1-2A includes the application processingmodule 34 of FIG. 4 and the wireless communication modem 1 of FIG. 4.The sensors sets 1A and 2A include at least some of the sensors 1-7 ofFIG. 7. The harvest actuator sets 1A and 2A includes one or moreactuators associated with at least one of a combine and any cropharvesting machine. The auxiliary resources 1A and 2A includes any otheragricultural resource that may be associated with the harvest apparatusset such as one or more of a grain cart, a harvest crop wagon, afertilizer transporter, a water transporter, etc. The user device 1-1Atraverses a drive path 1_1 and a drive path 1_2 within the geographicregion 1 in accordance with a first agricultural prescription, where thedrive paths 1_1 and 1_2 are substantially adjacent paths (e.g., in thesame or opposite directions). The user device 1-2A traverses portions ofa drive path 2 within the geographic region 1 in accordance with one ormore of a second agricultural prescription and the first agriculturalprescription.

The computing system is operable to improve accuracy of crop yield data.In an example of operation of the improving of the accuracy of the cropyield data, the application processing module 34 of at least one of theapplication unit 16 and any user device obtains data records for two ormore traversals of harvesting of a portion of the geographic region 1 bythe harvest apparatus set 1. For example, the application unit retrievesdata records 1 from the storage unit 36, where the data records 1includes sensor data 1_1 associated with the drive path 1_1 and sensordata 1_2 associated with the drive path 1_2, received via wirelesscommunication signals 42 over the wireless location network 1 and thenetwork 24 by the storage unit 36. The harvesting may be carried out inaccordance with the first prescription based on guidance 72 from theuser device 14 (e.g., a primary user device). The data records 1_1 and1_2 includes sensor data produced by the harvest apparatus set. Thesensor data includes one or more of a fuel flow rate, a combinerevolutions per minute (RPM), a combine torque level, a combinevelocity, a combine pitch, a combine yaw, a combine bearing, a combineroll, a combine altitude, and a terrain gradient.

Having obtained the data records 1 for the two or more traversals of theharvesting, the application unit 16 obtains yield data that correspondsto the data records 1. The obtaining includes at least one ofdetermining and retrieving. The yield data includes at least one of anestimated crop yield level and an actual crop yield level. For example,the application unit 16 recovers the actual crop yield data from thestorage unit subsequent to the storage unit receiving the crop yielddata.

Having obtained the yield data, the application unit 16 determinescorrelation data 1 that associates the data records 1 for the two ormore traversals, with regards to terrain changes, to the yield data forthe portion of the geographic region. For example, the application unit16 identifies an amount of crop yielded for a range of a terraingradient for adjacent drive paths, levels of consumed fuel, appliedtorque, and average velocity to produce the correlation data 1.

Having produced the correlation data 1, the application unit 16 sends,via the network 24 and the wireless communication network 1 via furtherwireless communication signals 42, the correlation data 1 to the harvestapparatus set 2, where the harvest apparatus set 2 generates harvestinformation 2 based on sensor data, including a terrain gradient, of theharvest apparatus set 2 and the correlation data 1. The harvestinformation 2 includes at least one of an estimated crop flow rate, acorrected crop flow rate, an estimated crop yield level (e.g., bushelsper acre), and a corrected crop yield level. For example, the userdevice 1-2A (e.g., or user device 1-2B, or user device 1-2C) applies acorrection function to sensor data 2 in accordance with the correlationdata 1 to produce the harvest information 2. Alternatively, or inaddition to, the application unit 16 sends the correlation data 1 to theharvest apparatus set 1 such that the harvest apparatus set 1 appliesthe correction function to subsequently obtained sensor data 1_x inaccordance with the correlation data 1 to produce harvest information 1.

Having sent the correlation data 1 to the harvest apparatus set 2, theapplication unit 16 obtains the harvest information 2. The obtainingincludes at least one of receiving the harvest information 2 directlyfrom the harvest apparatus set 2 (e.g., via the wireless communicationnetwork 1 and the network 24) and extracting the harvest information 2from the data records 2 retrieved from the storage unit 36.

FIG. 27B is a flowchart illustrating another example of improvingaccuracy of crop yield data, which include similar steps to FIG. 26B.The method begins or continues at step 610 where a processing module(e.g., an application processing module of at least one of anapplication unit and a user device), for an agricultural prescription ofa geographic region, obtains data records associated with two or moretraversals of harvesting a portion of a geographic region by a firstharvest apparatus set, where the portion is associated with a terraingradient greater than a terrain gradient threshold level. The obtainingincludes at least one of receiving the data records directly from thefirst harvest apparatus set and retrieving the data records from astorage unit.

The method continues at step 612 where the processing module obtainsyield data that corresponds to the data records for each of the two ormore traversals. The obtaining includes at least one of determining theyield data and retrieving the yield data from the storage unit. Theyield data includes one or more of estimated and actual yield statistics(e.g., actual bushels per acre).

The method continues at step 614 where the processing module determinescorrelation data that correlates the data records for each of the two ormore traversals to the yield data for the portion of the geographicregion. For example, the processing module solves for a linear equationof factors of the data records that results in an acceptable estimationof the yield data, extracts coefficients of the linear equations for allthe traversals, and generates the correlation data to include a model ofthe linear equation that includes the extracted coefficients.

The method continues with the steps 596-598 of FIG. 26B where theprocessing module sends the correlation data to at least a secondharvest apparatus set, where the second harvest apparatus set generatesthe harvest information and/or yield data based on sensor data of thesecond harvest apparatus set and the correlation data, and theprocessing module receives the harvest information from the secondharvest apparatus set.

FIG. 28A is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of acomputing system that includes the geographic region 1 of FIG. 1, thewireless communication network 1 of FIG. 1, the network 24 of FIG. 1,the user device 14 of FIG. 5, the application unit 16 of FIG. 5, and thestorage unit 36 of FIG. 5. The geographic region 1 includes a plantingapparatus set 620, a harvesting apparatus set 622, a transport apparatusset 624, and user devices 1-1C, 1-2C, and 1-3C of FIG. 1.

The planting apparatus set 620 includes the user device 1-1A of FIG. 1,the sensors set 1A of FIG. 24A, a planting actuator set 1A, and theauxiliary resource 1A of FIG. 24A. The planting actuator set 1A includesany apparatus to plant seeds. For instance, the planting actuator set 1Aincludes a planter and the auxiliary resource 1A includes a seed bin.

The harvesting apparatus set 622 includes the user device 1-2A of FIG.1, the sensors set 2A of FIG. 24A, the harvest actuator set 2A of FIG.24A, and the auxiliary resource 2A of FIG. 24A. For instance, theharvest actuator set 2A includes a combine and the auxiliary resource 2Aincludes a crop cart.

The transport apparatus set 624 includes the user device 1-3A of FIG. 1,a sensors set 3A associated with the user device 1-3A, a transportactuator set 2A, and an auxiliary resource 3A. For instance, the userdevice 1-3A includes a truck, the sensors set 3A includes sensorsassociated with the truck, the transport actuator set 3A includesactuators for moving and transporting harvested crops (e.g., others,chute gates, liftgates, etc.), and the auxiliary resource 3A includes ashipping container for harvested crops. Alternatively, or in additionto, two or more transport apparatus sets 624 may be utilized totransport the harvested crops. A common auxiliary resource may beutilized when the two or more transport apparatus sets 624 are utilized.For example, the auxiliary resource 3A may be disassociated with a firsttransport apparatus set 624 and associated with a second transportapparatus set 624 in the course of transporting the harvested crops. Forinstance, a trailer containing harvested crops is disconnected from afirst tractor (e.g., user device 1-3A1) along a drive path 3 and isconnected to a second tractor (e.g., user device 1-3A2) along the drivepath 3 as the harvested crops are transported.

The geographic region 1 may further include a user device 1-1B, 1-2B,and/or 1-3B to provide one or more of communication, processing, anddiscovery of other like proximal user devices, where the communicationincludes transfer of information between the user devices 1-1C, 1-2C,and 1-3C and the user devices 1-1A, 1-2A, and 1-3A in a similar fashionas user device 2-1B provides processing and communication between userdevices 2-1C and 2-1A of FIG. 12A.

The user devices 1-1A, 1-2A, and 1-3A includes the applicationprocessing module 34 of FIG. 4 and the wireless communication modem 1 ofFIG. 4. The sensors sets 1A, 2A, and 3A include at least some of thesensors 1-7 of FIG. 7. The user device 1-1A traverses a drive path 1within the geographic region 1 in accordance with a first agriculturalprescription 1, the user device 1-2A traverses a drive path 2 within thegeographic region 1 in accordance with a second agriculturalprescription 2, and the user device 1-3A traverses the drive path 3which may be partially in accordance with a third agriculturalprescription 3.

The computing system is operable to track harvested crops utilizing achain of custody approach. In an example of operation of the tracking ofthe harvested crops, the application unit 16 obtains data records 1associated with execution of the agricultural prescription 1 by theplanting apparatus set 620. The data records 1 includes data 1. The data1 includes static and dynamic data associated with one or more of theuser device 1-1A, the sensors set 1A, the planting actuator set 1A, andthe auxiliary resource 1A. The static and dynamic data includes one ormore of location information, timestamp information, sensor data,auxiliary data, and identifiers. The obtaining includes at least one ofdirectly receiving, via wireless communication signals 42 over thewireless communication network 1 and the network, the data 1 from theplanting apparatus set 620 and retrieving the data records 1 from thestorage unit 36.

Having obtained the data records 1, the application unit 16 identifies aplanting location of a lot (e.g., an identified portion of a largerproduction) and a seed hybrid associated with the planting apparatus set620. For example, the application unit 16 identifies the auxiliaryresource affiliated with the planting apparatus set 620, where theidentified auxiliary resource has been previously associated with thelot of the seed hybrid. For instance, the application unit 16 interpretshistorical location information associated with the seed bin.

Having identified the lot and seed hybrid associated with the plantinglocation, the application unit 16 obtains data records 2 associated withexecution of the agricultural prescription 2 by the harvesting apparatusset 622. The data records 2 includes data 2. The data 2 includes staticand dynamic data associated with one or more of the user device 1-2A,the sensors set 2A, the harvest actuator set 2A, and the auxiliaryresource 2A. The obtaining includes at least one of directly receiving,via further wireless communication signals 42 over the wirelesscommunication network 1 and the network, the data 2 from the harvestingapparatus set 622 and retrieving the data records 2 from the storageunit 36.

For a harvested crop associated with the planting location, theapplication unit 16 identifies the lot and seed hybrid. For example, theapplication unit 16 performs a lookup of the lot and seed hybrid basedon location information of the data records 2. Having identified the lotand the seed hybrid, the application unit 16 identifies the auxiliaryresource 2A of the harvesting apparatus set 622 that is associated withthe harvested crops. For example, the application unit 16 extracts anidentifier of the auxiliary resource 2A, that holds the harvested crops,from the data records 2.

Having identified the auxiliary resource 2A, the application unit 16identifies subsequent auxiliary resources associated with transport ofthe harvested crop in accordance with the agricultural prescription 3and/or guidance 72 from user device 14. For example, the applicationunit 16 obtains data records 3, where the data records 3 includes data3, interprets data records 3 and data records 2 to detect one or more ofsubstantially similar location information, loading and/or unloading andtransfer of crops, and proximal location by discovery of short rangewireless communication signals (e.g., between two or more of the userdevice 1-2B and user device 1-3B). For a final auxiliary resource 3A ofthe transport of the harvested crops, the application unit identifies(e.g., look up of records from the above identification steps) the lotand seed hybrid as the harvested crops arrive at a final destinationassociated with the transporting.

FIG. 28B is a flowchart illustrating an example of chain of custody croptracking. The method begins or continues at step 630 where a processingmodule (e.g., an application processing module of at least one of anapplication unit and a user device), obtains first data recordsassociated with execution of a first agricultural prescription by aplanting apparatus set. The obtaining includes at least one of receivingthe first data records directly from the planting apparatus set andretrieving the first data records from a storage unit.

The method continues at step 632 where the processing module identifiesa planting location of a lot and a seed hybrid associated with theplanting apparatus set. For example, the processing module determines anidentifier of an auxiliary resource associated with the first datarecords by utilizing short range wireless discovery, identifies the lotand seed hybrid associated with the identified auxiliary resource (e.g.,a lookup), and utilizes location information of the auxiliary resource(e.g., from the first data records) to produce the planting locationassociated with the identified lot and seed hybrid. The processingmodule may store a record that includes one or more of the plantinglocation, the identified lot, the identified seed hybrid, and theidentified auxiliary resource.

The method continues at step 634 where the processing module obtainssecond data records associated with execution of a second prescriptionby a harvesting apparatus set. The obtaining includes at least one ofreceiving the second data records directly from the harvesting apparatusset and retrieving the second data records from the storage unit. Thesecond data records includes one or more of identifiers of elements ofthe harvesting apparatus set and location information associated withharvesting crops to produce location information of harvested crops.

For a harvested crop associated with the planting location, the methodcontinues at step 636 where the processing module identifies the lot andthe seed hybrid based on the second data records. For example, theprocessing module identifies a location information of the second datarecords that is substantially the same as the planting location,performs a lookup of the lot and seed hybrid identifiers correspondingto the planting location, and associates harvested crops with the lotand seed hybrid identifiers. The associating may include storing a newrecord and/or updating the stored record to include the identifiedlocation information of the harvested crops, planting location, theidentified lot, and the identified seed hybrid.

The method continues at step 638 where the processing module identifiesan auxiliary resource of the harvesting apparatus set that is associatedwith the harvested crop. For example, the processing module interpretsthe second data records to extract an identifier of the auxiliaryresource associated with temporary storage of the harvested crops, wherethe location information (e.g., GPS coordinates) is compared or shortrange wireless discovery is interpreted to identify a proximal auxiliaryresource as the auxiliary resource.

The method continues at step 640 where the processing module identifiessubsequent auxiliary resources associated with transport of theharvested crop in accordance with execution of a third agriculturalprescription. For example, the processing module interprets third datarecords from a transport apparatus set to extract an identifier of oneor more subsequent auxiliary resources associated with transport of theharvested crop, where the location information is compared or shortrange wireless discovery is interpreted to identify further proximalauxiliary resources as the identified subsequent auxiliary resources.

The method continues at step 642 where the processing module identifiesthe lot and the seed hybrid associated with a final step of harvestedcrop transport. For example, the processing module interprets furtherthird data records to extract further identifiers of yet anotherauxiliary resource associated with the final step of transporting theharvested crop and performs a record lookup to identify the associatedlot and seed hybrid, where location information is compared or shortrange wireless discovery is interpreted to identify and even furtherproximal auxiliary resource as the identified other auxiliary resource.

As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately”provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding termand/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted toleranceranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to,but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit processvariations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermalnoise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a fewpercent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, theterm(s) “operably coupled to”, “coupled to”, and/or “coupling” includesdirect coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items viaan intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, acomponent, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirectcoupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of asignal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or powerlevel. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where oneelement is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct andindirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”.As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” or “operablycoupled to” indicates that an item includes one or more of powerconnections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform, when activated, oneor more its corresponding functions and may further include inferredcoupling to one or more other items. As may still further be usedherein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirectcoupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within anotheritem. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicatesthat a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides adesired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is thatsignal 1 has a greater magnitude than signal 2, a favorable comparisonmay be achieved when the magnitude of signal 1 is greater than that ofsignal 2 or when the magnitude of signal 2 is less than that of signal1.

As may also be used herein, the terms “processing module”, “processingcircuit”, and/or “processing unit” may be a single processing device ora plurality of processing devices. Such a processing device may be amicroprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor,microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array,programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analogcircuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals(analog and/or digital) based on hard coding of the circuitry and/oroperational instructions. The processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit may be, or further include, memoryand/or an integrated memory element, which may be a single memorydevice, a plurality of memory devices, and/or embedded circuitry ofanother processing module, module, processing circuit, and/or processingunit. Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random accessmemory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamicmemory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or any device that storesdigital information. Note that if the processing module, module,processing circuit, and/or processing unit includes more than oneprocessing device, the processing devices may be centrally located(e.g., directly coupled together via a wired and/or wireless busstructure) or may be distributedly located (e.g., cloud computing viaindirect coupling via a local area network and/or a wide area network).Further note that if the processing module, module, processing circuit,and/or processing unit implements one or more of its functions via astate machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logiccircuitry, the memory and/or memory element storing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within, or external to, thecircuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digitalcircuitry, and/or logic circuitry. Still further note that, the memoryelement may store, and the processing module, module, processingcircuit, and/or processing unit executes, hard coded and/or operationalinstructions corresponding to at least some of the steps and/orfunctions illustrated in one or more of the Figures. Such a memorydevice or memory element can be included in an article of manufacture.

The present invention has been described above with the aid of methodsteps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. Further, theboundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarilydefined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could bedefined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriatelyperformed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarilydefined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To theextent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could havebeen defined otherwise and still perform the certain significantfunctionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional buildingblocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scopeand spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the artwill also recognize that the functional building blocks, and otherillustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implementedas illustrated or by discrete components, application specificintegrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and thelike or any combination thereof.

The present invention may have also been described, at least in part, interms of one or more embodiments. An embodiment of the present inventionis used herein to illustrate the present invention, an aspect thereof, afeature thereof, a concept thereof, and/or an example thereof. Aphysical embodiment of an apparatus, an article of manufacture, amachine, and/or of a process that embodies the present invention mayinclude one or more of the aspects, features, concepts, examples, etc.described with reference to one or more of the embodiments discussedherein. Further, from figure to figure, the embodiments may incorporatethe same or similarly named functions, steps, modules, etc. that may usethe same or different reference numbers and, as such, the functions,steps, modules, etc. may be the same or similar functions, steps,modules, etc. or different ones.

While the transistors in the above described figure(s) is/are shown asfield effect transistors (FETs), as one of ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate, the transistors may be implemented using any type oftransistor structure including, but not limited to, bipolar, metal oxidesemiconductor field effect transistors (MOSFET), N-well transistors,P-well transistors, enhancement mode, depletion mode, and zero voltagethreshold (VT) transistors.

Unless specifically stated to the contra, signals to, from, and/orbetween elements in a figure of any of the figures presented herein maybe analog or digital, continuous time or discrete time, and single-endedor differential. For instance, if a signal path is shown as asingle-ended path, it also represents a differential signal path.Similarly, if a signal path is shown as a differential path, it alsorepresents a single-ended signal path. While one or more particulararchitectures are described herein, other architectures can likewise beimplemented that use one or more data buses not expressly shown, directconnectivity between elements, and/or indirect coupling between otherelements as recognized by one of average skill in the art.

The term “module” is used in the description of the various embodimentsof the present invention. A module includes a processing module, afunctional block, hardware, and/or software stored on memory forperforming one or more functions as may be described herein. Note that,if the module is implemented via hardware, the hardware may operateindependently and/or in conjunction software and/or firmware. As usedherein, a module may contain one or more sub-modules, each of which maybe one or more modules.

While particular combinations of various functions and features of thepresent invention have been expressly described herein, othercombinations of these features and functions are likewise possible. Thepresent invention is not limited by the particular examples disclosedherein and expressly incorporates these other combinations.

What is claimed is:
 1. A drive unit comprises: a first interfaceoperable to establish a first communication path with farm equipment; asecond interface operable to establish a second communication path witha portable computing device; memory; and a processing module operablycoupled to the first interface, the second interface, and the memory,wherein the processing module is operable to: receive, via the firstinterface, data from the farm equipment to produce agricultural data;determine a filtering constraint based on one or more parametersselected from a plurality of lists of agricultural parameters; filterthe agricultural data based on the filtering constraint to producefiltered agricultural data; determine processing of the filteredagricultural data; and execute the processing of the filteredagricultural data.
 2. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the processingmodule is further operable to: receive, via the second interface, aninstruction to collect a particular type of data; and select the one ormore parameters based on the instruction.
 3. The drive unit of claim 1,wherein the processing module is further operable to: determine that thefiltered agricultural data is to be processed by the drive unit formodifying an existing agricultural prescription; modify the existingagricultural prescription in accordance with the filtered agriculturaldata to produce a modified agricultural prescription; and output, viathe first interface, the modified agricultural prescription.
 4. Thedrive unit of claim 1, wherein the processing module is further operableto: determine that the filtered agricultural data is to be processed bya host server; output, via the second interface, the filteredagricultural data; receive, via the second interface, a new agriculturalprescription or a modified agricultural prescription; and output, viathe first interface, the new agricultural prescription or the modifiedagricultural prescription.
 5. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein theplurality of lists of agricultural parameters comprises two or more of:a list of crop cycle parameters; a list of types of agriculturalprescription parameters; and a list of types of farm equipment.
 6. Thedrive unit of claim 5 further comprises: the list of crop cycleparameters includes one or more of a planting cycle, a harvesting cycle,a tending cycle, a fertilizing cycle, a watering cycle, and a weedingcycle; the list of types of agricultural prescription parametersincludes one or more of a planting plan, a speed plan, a fertilizingplan, a watering plan, a weeding plan, and a harvesting plan; and thelist of types of farm equipment includes one or more of plantingequipment, a tractor, fertilizing equipment, watering equipment, weedingequipment, and harvesting equipment.
 7. The drive unit of claim 1,wherein the processing module is further operable to: receive, via thesecond interface, additional data from the portable computing device;and integrate the additional data with the data to produce theagricultural data.
 8. The drive unit of claim 1, wherein the processingmodule is further operable to: receive, via the first interface, firstlocation information from the farm equipment; receive, via the secondinterface, second location information from the portable computingdevice; and integrate the first and second location information intocomposite location information.
 9. The drive unit of claim 1, whereinthe agricultural data comprises one or more of: location information;timestamp information; terrain information; soil sampling information;accelerometer information; gyroscope information; velocity information;weather information; magnetic field information; imaging data; chemicaldetection; fluid flow volume; and execution phase of an agriculturalprescription.
 10. A method for executing by a drive unit, the methodcomprises: receiving, via a first interface of the drive unit, data fromfarm equipment to produce agricultural data; determining a filteringconstraint based on one or more parameters selected from a plurality oflists of agricultural parameters; filtering the agricultural data basedon the filtering constraint to produce filtered agricultural data;determining processing of the filtered agricultural data; and executingthe processing of the filtered agricultural data.
 11. The method ofclaim 10 further comprises: receiving, via a second interface of thedrive unit, an instruction to collect a particular type of data; andselecting the one or more parameters based on the instruction.
 12. Themethod of claim 10 further comprises: determining that the filteredagricultural data is to be processed by the drive unit for modifying anexisting agricultural prescription; modifying the existing agriculturalprescription in accordance with the filtered agricultural data toproduce a modified agricultural prescription; and outputting, via thefirst interface of the drive unit, the modified agriculturalprescription.
 13. The method of claim 10 further comprises: determiningthat the filtered agricultural data is to be processed by a host server;outputting, via the second interface of the drive unit, the filteredagricultural data; receiving, via the second interface of the driveunit, a new agricultural prescription or a modified agriculturalprescription; and outputting, via the first interface of the drive unit,the new agricultural prescription or the modified agriculturalprescription.
 14. The method of claim 10, wherein the plurality of listsof agricultural parameters comprises two or more of: a list of cropcycle parameters; a list of types of agricultural prescriptionparameters; and a list of types of farm equipment.
 15. The method ofclaim 14 further comprises: the list of crop cycle parameters includesone or more of a planting cycle, a harvesting cycle, a tending cycle, afertilizing cycle, a watering cycle, and a weeding cycle; the list oftypes of agricultural prescription parameters includes one or more of aplanting plan, a speed plan, a fertilizing plan, a watering plan, aweeding plan, and a harvesting plan; and the list of types of farmequipment includes one or more of planting equipment, a tractor,fertilizing equipment, watering equipment, weeding equipment, andharvesting equipment.
 16. The method of claim 10 further comprises:receiving, via the second interface of the drive unit, additional datafrom a portable computing device; and integrating the additional datawith the data to produce the agricultural data.
 17. The method of claim10 further comprises: receiving, via the first interface of the driveunit, first location information from the farm equipment; receiving, viathe second interface of the drive unit, second location information fromthe portable computing device; and integrating the first and secondlocation information into composite location information.
 18. The methodof claim 10, wherein the agricultural data comprises one or more of:location information; timestamp information; terrain information; soilsampling information; accelerometer information; gyroscope information;velocity information; weather information; magnetic field information;imaging data; chemical detection; fluid flow volume; and execution phaseof an agricultural prescription.
 19. A non-transitory computer readablestorage medium comprises: at least one memory section that storesoperational instructions that, when executed by one or more processingmodules of a drive unit affiliated with farm equipment of a computingsystem, causes the drive unit to: receive, via a first interface of thedrive unit, data from the farm equipment to produce agricultural data;determine a filtering constraint based on one or more parametersselected from a plurality of lists of agricultural parameters; filterthe agricultural data based on the filtering constraint to producefiltered agricultural data; determine processing of the filteredagricultural data; and execute the processing of the filteredagricultural data.
 20. The non-transitory computer readable storagemedium of claim 19 further comprises: the at least one memory sectionstores further operational instructions that, when executed by the oneor more processing modules, causes the drive unit of the computingsystem to: receive, via a second interface of the drive unit, aninstruction to collect a particular type of data; and select the one ormore parameters based on the instruction.
 21. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 19 further comprises: the atleast one memory section stores further operational instructions that,when executed by the one or more processing modules, causes the driveunit of the computing system to: determine that the filteredagricultural data is to be processed by the drive unit for modifying anexisting agricultural prescription; modify the existing agriculturalprescription in accordance with the filtered agricultural data toproduce a modified agricultural prescription; and output, via the firstinterface of the drive unit, the modified agricultural prescription. 22.The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19 furthercomprises: the at least one memory section stores further operationalinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules,causes the drive unit of the computing system to: determine that thefiltered agricultural data is to be processed by a host server; output,via the second interface of the drive unit, the filtered agriculturaldata; receive, via the second interface of the drive unit, a newagricultural prescription or a modified agricultural prescription; andoutput, via the first interface of the drive unit, the new agriculturalprescription or the modified agricultural prescription.
 23. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein theplurality of lists of agricultural parameters comprises two or more of:a list of crop cycle parameters; a list of types of agriculturalprescription parameters; and a list of types of farm equipment.
 24. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 23 furthercomprises: the list of crop cycle parameters includes one or more of aplanting cycle, a harvesting cycle, a tending cycle, a fertilizingcycle, a watering cycle, and a weeding cycle; the list of types ofagricultural prescription parameters includes one or more of a plantingplan, a speed plan, a fertilizing plan, a watering plan, a weeding plan,and a harvesting plan; and the list of types of farm equipment includesone or more of planting equipment, a tractor, fertilizing equipment,watering equipment, weeding equipment, and harvesting equipment.
 25. Thenon-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 19 furthercomprises: the at least one memory section stores further operationalinstructions that, when executed by the one or more processing modules,causes the drive unit of the computing system to: receive, via thesecond interface of the drive unit, additional data from a portablecomputing device; and integrate the additional data with the data toproduce the agricultural data.
 26. The non-transitory computer readablestorage medium of claim 19 further comprises: the at least one memorysection stores further operational instructions that, when executed bythe one or more processing modules, causes the drive unit of thecomputing system to: receive, via the first interface of the drive unit,first location information from the farm equipment; receive, via thesecond interface of the drive unit, second location information from theportable computing device; and integrate the first and second locationinformation into composite location information.
 27. The non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium of claim 19, wherein the agriculturaldata comprises one or more of: location information; timestampinformation; terrain information; soil sampling information;accelerometer information; gyroscope information; velocity information;weather information; magnetic field information; imaging data; chemicaldetection; fluid flow volume; and execution phase of an agriculturalprescription.